Vitamin D – The Sunshine Superpower Your Bones Crave

Your bones are solar-powered… sort of. Without vitamin D, all that calcium won’t do you much good.

Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and bone metabolism. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. A meta-analysis in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology showed that vitamin D deficiency is linked to a significantly increased risk of fractures in older adults (Zhao et al., 2017).

Get 10–30 minutes of midday sun exposure several times per week, depending on your skin type and location, and include dietary sources like mushrooms, fortified plant-based drinks, and fatty fish (if you’re pescatarian). Consider a D3 supplement if your blood levels are low—consult your doctor.