Question

A medical assistant is reviewing a daily diet with a patient. What food should the medical assistant recommend to help the patient increase intake of vitamin D?

Answer 1

To increase vitamin D intake, patients should consume foods naturally rich in vitamin D like salmon and tuna, or fortified foods such as milk and cereals. Sunlight exposure can also help the body synthesize its own vitamin D.

Step-by-step explanation:

To help a patient increase their intake of vitamin D, a medical assistant should recommend foods that are rich in this essential nutrient. Fish such as salmon and tuna are naturally rich in vitamin D. Furthermore, in the United States, vitamin D is often added to other foods, making them fortified sources, such as milk, soy milk, and breakfast cereals. Teenagers are recommended to get 5 micrograms (200 International Units) of vitamin D every day. For example, a 3.5-ounce portion of cooked salmon provides 360 IU of vitamin D, while an 8-ounce glass of milk is fortified with about 100 IU of vitamin D.

For those who may not have sufficient exposure to sunlight or have higher needs, additional sources can include cod liver oil, fish liver oil, egg yolk, and animal liver. It is important to note that the body can also synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, so regular access to sunlight can reduce or negate the dietary requirement for this vitamin, depending on individual circumstances.

Answer 2

A medical assistant should recommend fatty fish like salmon and tuna, as well as fortified foods like milk and cereals to help a patient increase their vitamin D intake. Additionally, sunlight exposure can stimulate natural vitamin D synthesis in the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

To help a patient increase their intake of vitamin D, a medical assistant should recommend foods naturally rich in vitamin D as well as fortified options. Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are excellent natural sources. For instance, a 3½-ounce portion of cooked salmon provides about 360 IU of vitamin D, which is a significant contribution towards the daily recommended intake.

In addition to natural sources, foods fortified with vitamin D like milk, soy milk, and breakfast cereals can be beneficial. An 8-ounce glass of fortified milk provides approximately 100 IU of vitamin D. It's also important to consider that the body can synthesize vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, although this can be less effective for individuals with darker skin or those living at northern latitudes where sunlight may not be adequate year-round.