Inhale, exhale. It's easy to take healthy lungs for granted. Don't. Take vitamin D instead.

The sunshine vitamin may do more than help build strong bones and defend against certain cancers. Vitamin D may also help put out the fire of inflammation that leads to chronic lung disease. Along with drinking D-fortified milk and orange juice, try D-rich recipes like this simple, savory Asian Salmon.

Many Americans don't get enough vitamin D. And although a shortfall may not cause chronic breathing problems, scientists found, after testing more than 14,000 men and women, that the higher their blood levels of vitamin D, the better able they were to fill -- and empty -- their lungs. One possible reason: D may calm lung inflammation that contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU). Fortified milk and OJ are great sources, but new government research has found that some fish, including salmon, are also surprisingly high in D. Nutrition data won't show the new numbers until later this year, but salmon may turn out to be in the top part of the chart of foods rich in vitamin D.

Salmon, 3 ounces	360 IU
Atlantic mackerel, 3 ounces	345 IU
Milk, low-fat, fortified, 1 cup	100 IU
Raisin bran, 1 cup	100 IU
Corn flakes, 1 cup	40 IU
Eggs, one large	26 IU