Whole Organic Foods High in Vitamin D

Whole Organic Foods High in Vitamin D
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Most vitamins are found in vegetables and fruits; however, vitamin D is mainly found in seafood and animal products. What makes vitamin D additionally unique is that you can absorb your recommended daily value of it when sunlight touches your body for at least 15 minutes; this is most effective when you are in direct rays during the summer months. During the winter months and rainy days it is good to know which foods you can eat that will provide you with a good source of vitamin D.

Chinook Salmon

Organic chinook salmon is one of the most abundant sources of vitamin D. Organic salmon is usually farmed under careful practices free of chemicals and environmental pollutants like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Some conventional salmon companies use genetically modified salmon, which are larger in size and dyed with artificial pink colorant, making it particularly important to eat organic salmon. Some organic salmon farms also feed their fish certified organic feed. Besides providing you with almost 103 percent of your daily value of vitamin D in 4 ounces, salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Shrimp

Steamed or boiled shrimp contains a good amount of vitamin D. A 4-oz. serving of shrimp provides you with about 41 percent of your recommended daily allowance. Organic shrimp are mostly farmed in healthy, unpolluted water and without the use of any chemical additives.

Cow's Milk

Only 1 cup of 2% cow's milk supplies you with 24 percent of your recommended daily allowance. The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine explains that conventional milk typically contains growth hormones, which have been linked to prostate cancer. Also, organic milk does not contain antibiotics. Conventional milk companies use antibiotics to keep their cows from getting sick, but they can transfer to humans through the milk, according to Cornell University's Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors.

Cod

Organic cod is hard to find, but it does exist. Check your local health food store. It is free of dyes, pesticides and chemicals. Organic cod is healthier for you and the environment if its farms are kept clean, because The National Geographic reports that conventional cod farms may cause a large amount of waste, which can be detrimental to Atlantic salmon and sea trout.

References

Article reviewed by MER Last updated on: Jan 5, 2011

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