Get Healthier Almost Instantly

Not one, not two, but five just-released studies found that vitamin D has wide-ranging benefits, from keeping your bones and heart healthy to reducing the risk of breast and other cancers. Yet, up to half of all women just don't get enough of it. Just 5 to 30 minutes of sunscreen-free afternoon sun on the arms and legs three times a week (paler women need the least time, darker the most) will help your body produce the vitamin D it needs.

If you live north of Texas, winter rays aren't strong enough to trigger vitamin D production, so experts suggest eating D-rich foods like salmon or taking a supplement. Most agree 800 to 1,000 IUs of D3 per day is enough.