Health Tip: Get More Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps build strong bones, regulate the immune system and ward off illness.

It also helps maintain blood calcium levels and regulate calcium and phosphorous, which are crucial to keeping bones and teeth firm, the Arthritis Foundation says.

People with arthritis who take oral corticosteroids are at greater risk of being vitamin D deficient, the foundation says.

Here are its suggestions for boosting your levels of vitamin D:

Get direct sunlight without sunscreen for just 10 to 15 minutes every other day.
Eat three ounces of a fish that is rich in vitamin D, such as salmon or Atlantic mackerel.
Take a supplement of cod liver oil, which is rich in vitamin D.
Eat vitamin D-fortified foods, such as cereal, milk, cheese and soy products.

Source: HealthDay