I read an article today that said that up to 64% of people do not take enough vitamin D. Researchers believe that vitamin D plays a major role on optimizing the mood and health. Results of the conducted research are quite stunning. It appears that the recommended intake of 400IUs a day of vitamin D is simply not enough. Moreover, the exposure to the sun does not safeguard the levels of vitamin D as previously believed.

According to the article, an average person needs anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 IUs of vitamin D a day. The article outlines the following as the easy ways of boosting the levels of vitamin D:

1. Taking a daily supplement. But, one needs to know that multivitamins that contain vitamin D2 are the poor choice as D2 does not bind well to the body proteins. This results in poor processing of vitamin D and, of course, in lower levels of it. The better choice is to use multivitamins that contain D3. The studies show that D3 is at least 3 times more effective in raising the levels of vitamin D in the body.
2. Eat lots of seafood. Fish is very rich in vitamin D and those who eat fish several times a day have good levels of vitamin D in the body. It is better to bake or steam seafood for the optimum levels of vitamin D. Fish that is rich in vitamin D is tuna and salmon.
3. Eat leafy greens. Leafy greens like spinach are rich in magnesium and magnesium is the mineral that helps activating vitamin D in the body. It is advised to consume at least two servings a day of magnesium rich greens. The organic greens have even higher levels of magnesium, so if even bigger boost of vitamin D is desired, then eating organic greens would be a smart move. 

There are some significant health benefits of vitamin D. Researches showed that vitamin D is responsible for:

1. Reducing the chances of getting cancer by almost 60%.
2. Reducing the chances of becoming a diabetic by almost 33%.
3. Reducing hypertension by almost 30%.
4. Improving the mood by almost 26%.
5. Increasing the bone strength by almost 28%.
6. Boosting the immunity by almost 50%.