During the winter months individuals tend to get exposed to far less of the sun's ultraviolet rays. This likely means that they will experience low levels of vitamin D. However, one group is urging people to take steps to support healthy levels of the nutrient this winter.

The Ontario Society of Physicians for Complementary Medicine says that people should have their vitamin D levels tested during the winter and take steps to raise them if they are found to be low.

This may include taking nutritional supplements or eating more foods that contain high levels of vitamin D. Fatty fish, mushrooms and fortified dairy products are among the best food sources of the nutrient.

The problem of vitamin D deficiency is particularly troubling for people who live at northern latitudes. During the winter, the uppermost part of the globe is tilted away from the sun. This not only means shorter days, but weaker sunlight as well. Therefore, it takes more time in the sun to produce the same effects as short time produced during the summer. This is why supplementation is important.