WITH new research showing vitamin D deficiency is rife in Australia, we're being encouraged to combine safe and smart sun exposure with a healthy dose of nutrient-rich foods.
The research from Curtin University was presented at the Dieticians Association of Australia's national conference in May.
It builds on findings from the Australian Health Survey that found about one in four Australian adults were vitamin D deficient, with the highest rates of deficiency in those living in southern states.
Vitamin D deficiency was much more common in Victoria (31.1 per cent) and the ACT (28.5 per cent) than in northern states and territories, with 11.5 per cent of Queenslanders and 13.1 per cent of people from the Northern Territory found to be deficient.
Researcher Rachel Cheang said Australians were spending more time indoors than past generations, resulting in less sun exposure.
"If you struggle to get enough sun exposure during the day, especially over winter, try to eat healthy, whole foods that contain vitamin D," she said.
Foods like oily fish (such as salmon, tuna or mackerel), meat, eggs, some dairy foods and mushrooms contain vitamin D and give us other important nutrients."
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. It strengthens bones by helping calcium absorption and may help to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.