Vitamin D Deficiency
According to Michael Holick, director of the General Clinical Research Center at Boston University School of Medicine, it is estimated that approximately 1 billion people are either vitamin D deficient, or receive insufficient amounts of the vitamin. Without Vitamin D, only about 10-15% of dietary calcium is absorbed by the body.
More and more people are moving to higher latitudes, where they do not receive adequate solar-UV exposure. As well, with concerns about skin cancer, many people are opting to slather on sunscreen before going outside.
In childhood, insufficient vitamin D may lead to growth retardation and rickets. In adulthood, insufficient Vitamin D can lead to problems including osteoporosis, osteopenia, fractures, muscle weakness, and infectious diseases.
Holick believes that the current recommended intake of Vitamin D3 needs to be increased to 800-1000 international units (UI) per day. (The current RDI in the U.S. is 200-600 IU, depending on age. In Canada, it is 200-1000 IU for all age groups). However, he notes that unless people are eating oily fish regularly, they are not likely to receive this amount from their diet, so recommends sensible sun exposure and supplementation.
References
Holick, MF (2007). Vitamin D Deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine; 357(3): 266-81.
Natural Health Products Directorate. Health Canada – Drugs and Health Products.(online). Available from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/applications/licen-prod/monogra... [Cited July 24, 2007].
Raloff, Janet (2005). Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency. Science news online. Available from http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050430/food.asp [Cited July 24, 2007].
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vatimin D
Know what foods or veggies other than dairy and the sun contain this vitamin?
Z
vit D requirements
Its interesting and revealing to learn how the FDA dicided on the RDA of Vit. D. Based on the fact that one tablespoon of cod liver oil will prevent rickets, they surmised that one Tsp. is what an average adult needs on a daily basis. One Tsp of cod liver oil contains on average 400 IU of Vit. D so that amount became the RDA for adults, and , the FDA being oh so scientific (not!) they decided that children, being in the eyes of the FDA "experts" half-size adults should get 200 IU per day! This is SO WRONG! Preventing rickets is not the same as optimal health! Children are not little adults! In fact, there are good studies to suggest we need well over 400 IU of Vit. D per day, maybe as much as 4000 IU in some cases!
Vit. D is not only important in preventing osteoporosis but also plays a role in preventing depression, breast, colon and prostate cancer and other conditions. As we are all careful to wear sunscreen now (and therefore don't get the same amount of VitD from the sunshine) it is very important to supplement VitD daily. I currently recommend 1000 IU daily for adults.
Darren Clair, MD
Vibrance Health Services
thank u for ur post just a question......
How much is the recommended amount for women my age, 29, & my height 5'? I don't eat meat but eat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and fortified soy milk. What other foods can offer me the calcium my body needs... when should I get a bone density test ?
Z
a-hah!
another good reason to live in the tropics my friends. vitamin D and a nice looking tan all year round :P