Combat Vitamin D Deficiency With Ellie Krieger

Last week in "Ask the Doctor," we answered the following question from Shennette:

"Hi Dr. Steve, I'm a 41-year-old black female and just found out I have a Vitamin D deficiency. I don't like drinking milk. Are there any other options?"

Well, turns out Shennette is not alone. Recent research indicates that 3 out of 4 Americans are Vitamin D deficient. A natural by-product obtained by just spending time outdoors, spring is the perfect season to learn how to get those Vitamin D benefits without incurring the damage that goes along with prolonged sun exposure.

We'll talk to Ellie Krieger, RD, best-selling author and host of Healthy Appetite on the Food Network, about: How could you tell if you're Vitamin D deficient? How do we best get Vitamin D without the potential problems of increased sun exposure? What foods provide Vitamin D? Kreiger is also the first registered dietician to have a "Got Milk?" ad and part of the "Get Your D" campaign.

While it's true that vitamin D works with calcium to keep bones strong, new and emerging research suggests vitamin D may be far more versatile, offering an array of health benefits. Some preliminary research suggests vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and helps support heart health, normal blood pressure, healthy blood sugar and healthy aging.

The sun is an ideal way to get vitamin D. But sunscreen, while important to use, blocks those beneficial rays and we tend to make little vitamin D during the winter months - especially people living in the northern half of the United States. By getting less sun and using more sunblock, people could be trading a lower risk of skin cancer for a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures, heart disease, infections and some cancers.

To learn about Vitamin D deficiency and for more information on the "Get Your D" campaign, visit www.getyourd.com. For more information on Kreiger, visit www.elliekrieger.com. Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger airs Saturdays at 8:30am on the Food Network.

Registered Dietician Ellie Krieger