Lamb Good Source of Vitamin D

December 8, 2006 - New research shows beef and lamb are rich sources of a type of vitamin D, something we usually get from sunlight.

Dietary sources of vitamin D are becoming more and more important as we heed health messages to protect ourselves from the sun's harmful rays.

A study led by Associate Professor Roger Purchas, Ph.D., at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, estimates that one serving of lamb can provide half the daily vitamin D requirement and beef about a quarter when both forms of the vitamin are taken into account.

This form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is three times more potent than other types.

"Recognizing the contribution beef and lamb can make to our vitamin D intake is both timely and important.

"Food sources have been limited primarily to oily fish, eggs and some dairy products; beef and lamb can now be added to the list," Purchas says.
Reprinted in part from Gisborne Herald, New Zealand

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