JUNEAU, Alaska, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is the shortest day of the year. During the dark winter months, sunlight can be an insufficient source of vitamin D which is vital for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. Low vitamin D levels have recently been linked to a greater chance of developing diseases including diabetes and heart disease, several cancers and the common cold.

The good news is that there is a delicious and healthy, vitamin D rich food source, that's also one of American's top favorite seafoods: Wild Alaska Salmon.

Salmon is one of the highest natural food sources of vitamin D with 360 IU* (International Units) per 3.5 oz. Salmon often tops the list of "super foods" due to its heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease, inflammation, and certain types of cancer.

    *Vitamin D, IU per serving
    Source: National Institutes for Health, Office of Dietary Supplements
    Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon: 1,360
    Salmon, cooked, 3.5 ounces: 360
    Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 ounces: 345
    Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces: 200
    Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1.75 ounces: 250
    Milk (nonfat, reduced fat, and whole), Vitamin D-fortified, 1 cup: 98

Salmon from Alaska

When it comes to salmon, not all are created equal. Alaska is home to the most abundant and healthy supply of wild Pacific salmon in North America. Never farmed, wild Alaska salmon offers unmatched flavor and texture. And as the only state whose Constitution mandates that all fisheries must be managed for sustainability, Alaska will have an abundance of wild salmon for years to come.

Wild Alaska salmon comes in a variety of forms including whole, fillets, steaks, canned, pouched and frozen.

Try these wild Alaska salmon recipes:

Alaska Salmon with Horseradish, Walnuts, and Herbs

http://cookitfrozen.com/recipes/salmon/roasted/Alaska%20Salmon%20with%20Horseradish,%20Walnuts%20and%20Herbs

Alaska Salmon with Champagne-Caper Vinaigrette

http://cookitfrozen.com/recipes/salmon/Saut__ing_Pan_seared/ALASKA%20SALMON%20WITH%20CHAMPAGNE-CAPER%20VINAIGRETTE

Thai Salmon Cakes with Hot and Sour Sauce

http://www.alaskaseafood.org/canned/recipes/Thai_Salmon_Cakes.html

For recipes and cooking tips for frozen wild Alaska salmon: http://cookitfrozen.com/home.html

For recipes and cooking tips for canned wild Alaska salmon: http://www.alaskaseafood.org/canned/index.html.

SOURCE Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

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