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If you think about it,vitamin Dis pretty amazing.

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Kristina Varaksina / Gallery Stock

Our skin actuallymakes it out of lightfrom the sun.

This unique vitamin is essential for all sorts of body functions, especially for helping maintain a strong skeleton.

However, most of us just dont get enough.

In the US alone, about40%of people have a vitamin D deficiency.

That said, we all know that getting enough sun is not always easyespecially in the winter.

Below, a look at seven things to do now to avoid vitamin D deficiency this winter and beyond.

Add magnesium

Magnesiumis essential for properly metabolizing vitamin D and transporting it in the blood.

Nutrients usually act in a coordinated manner in the body.

The nutrient is fat-soluble, which means its best absorbed when eaten with something like dairy.

Megadoses should instead be reserved for cases of severe deficiency and must be prescribed by a doctor.

Take your vitamin D supplement with food

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in lipids.

Thats why its usually offered in oily formulations.

Get regular blood tests

The only real way to know if youre lacking vitamin D?

Get a blood test.

(For the record, a level of over 30 ng/ml is considered optimal.)