Are you Getting Enough D?

The other day I looked at some vitamin D tablets at the Grocery Store. I noticed that they contained different levels per tablet and wondered about the recommended daily amount . Here is what I found out.

Vitamin D has gained a lot of attention over the last five years due to increased research on its role in health and disease. Researchers argue that vitamin D deficiency is wide spread and may even reach epidemic proportions. Studies suggest that in addition to its role in supporting skeletal health, vitamin D is essential in maintaining overall cellular health. T

here is now evidence that vitamin D deficiency is involved in osteoporosis, and may have a role in many other conditions as well. Concerns over vitamin D deficiency have led the American Academy of Pediatrics to revise its guidelines on vitamin D supplementation for infants and children and there is increasing pressure to do the same for adults.

Researchers are calling for a revision of the recommended intakes for vitamin D that were established in 1997 by the Food and Nutrition board of the Institute of Medicine for healthy and at-risk populations. They argue that the current recommendations are not sufficient to maintain optimal vitamin D status.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans now recommend an increased intake of vitamin D of 1,000 IUs for at-risk populations–older adults, people with dark skin, and people exposed to insufficient UVB light, but only 400 IUs for healthy adults. Current recommended intakes focus solely on supporting bone health and do not take global cellular health into account.

Based on the new information available researchers now propose the revision of current recommendations to 1,000 IUs at a minimum for the average person.

Moore et al. conducted a study of the dietary vitamin D intakes of adults and children in the U.S. and concluded that most Americans are not obtaining adequate levels of vitamin D. Some telling examples were that among children only 53%-63% met the recommended adequate intake (AI). Similarly, less than 10% of adults ages 51 to 70 and no more than 2% of adults over age 70 met the AI.

This study used the current guidelines for comparisons rather than the proposed higher recommendations suggesting the incidence of deficiency would be higher if new guidelines are adopted.

Vitamin D toxicity is a concern with any suggested increase in intake recommendations; however, today, studies have shown that vitamin D doses of 4,000, 5,000, and even 10,000 IUs daily for up to 16 weeks and 50,000 IUs daily for up to 8 weeks are safe.

After I came home I looked online and found these supplements. These will provide you with better support for your nutritional needs.