Top Plant-Based Source of Vitamin D

Has anyone ever told you to go outside to get your vitamin D?

This nutrient is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin, because we can actually obtain it from sunlight.

Aside from sourcing this essential nutrient via sun exposure, it can be found in several food sources, including a plant-based source you can grow at home.

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In this article, we’ll take a look at how this essential nutrient functions in our bodies, why it’s important to our health, and how to boost our daily intake.

Here is what we will cover:

Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins – in the same category as A, E, and K. Also known as calciferol, this nutrient is stored in its inactive form in our fat cells until it’s needed.

When that time comes, it is mobilized from the fat cells, and converted to calcidiol in the liver. Calcidiol is the main form that circulates throughout the body.

Parathyroid hormone moves calcidiol to the kidneys where it is converted into calcitriol, the active form that is moved to organs in need.

These conversions to its active form allow it to be utilized by the body.

The recommended dietary allowance for healthy individuals from one to 70 years of age is 15 micrograms, or 600 IU daily.

Once converted to its active form, it plays a role in many important processes. It aids calcium absorption, helping to build and remodel bone.

It can reduce inflammation. And additionally, it encourages cell growth and glucose metabolism, allowing the carbohydrates that we eat to be converted into usable energy.

Strong bones