There are three ways to get vitamin D:

• Spend a few minutes in the sun
• Eat foods that are either fortified or naturally rich in vitamin D
• Take dietary supplements

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, many people can get enough vitamin D by spending about 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week without sunscreen. Bare skin absorbs ultraviolet radiation (UV rays), which synthesizes vitamin D.

Besides taking supplements, you can also get vitamin D in your diet by eating fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel or tuna, and by drinking fortified milk or orange juice. Look for other products with added vitamin D, like breakfast cereal, yogurt, soy foods and even margarine. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it gets stored in your fat tissue so that your body can use it as needed.

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