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How to maintain vitamin D levels?
Take the recommended dose of vitamin D daily to maintain your vitamin D levels, as described in point 1 above. Or continue to spend the same amount of time in the sun to maintain your value.
How long does it take to get vitamin D?
There are numerous recommendations which make taking vitamin D unnecessarily complicated. But if you follow the above dosage and have your 25 (OH)D tested after 3 months, you'll see how easy it can be to get your vitamin D levels into the optimal range.
How much vitamin D is needed for hypercalcemia?
Known cases of vitamin D toxicity with hypercalcemia in which the 25 (OH)D concentration and vitamin D dose are known all point to an intake of 40,000 IU (1,000 mcg) a day or more. Excessive intake of vitamin D can only occur by taking dietary supplements.
How does vitamin D help with calcium absorption?
At this vitamin D level, the body can perfectly regulate calcium absorption via the adequate formation of parathyroid hormone. Breastfeeding mothers can sufficiently pass on vitamin D to their baby through breast milk.
What are the symptoms of vitamin D intoxication?
The symptoms of vitamin D intoxication include nausea, high calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, irregular heartbeat and kidney stones. Vitamin D. Vitamin D is the key to good health. Until recently, Vitamin D was valued mainly as a bone strengthener.
What does a low vitamin D level mean?
This low vitamin D level means that calcium cannot be sufficiently absorbed into the blood, which may lead to osteomalacia. This may also affect muscle strength and motor coordination.
What is the purpose of blood test for vitamin D?
The result of the blood test helps determine how much vitamin D you should take in the form of vitamin D capsules or vitamin D drops, etc., or whether you should increase your exposure to the sun in order to build up an optimal vitamin D level.
How to get enough vitamin D?
Summer sun exposure is the most effective way to get enough vitamin D, but it doesn’t come without risk. Additionally, the amount of sunlight needed varies.
How to measure vitamin D levels?
Blood levels of vitamin D are assessed by measuring 25 (OH)D in the blood, which is the storage form of vitamin D in the body ( 28 ).
Why does vitamin D go down in winter?
The levels may go down during the winter months due to a lack of sufficient sunlight ( 15. Trusted Source. , 16.
What is the most powerful vitamin in the body?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s involved in many essential body functions. There are two forms of vitamin D in the diet and supplements: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): found in some mushrooms. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): found in oily fish, fish liver oil, and egg yolks. D3 is the more powerful of the two types ...
Why is vitamin D important?
Vitamin D is essential for bone health and many other aspects of health. Deficiency is prevalent and may have health consequences for many people. If you’re thinking about adding more vitamin D to your diet, consider the following factors and speak with your healthcare provider.
How much vitamin D is needed for a healthy blood test?
These organizations claim that blood levels of over 20 ng/ml meet the vitamin D requirements of more than 97.5% of the population.
How many people have low vitamin D levels?
Up to 42% of the American adult population has low vitamin D levels, which can cause health problems ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ).
What is vitamin D deficiency?
The official definition of a vitamin deficiency means that specific health problems stem solely from the lack of (or inability to use) a specific nutrient. An actual vitamin D deficiency results in bone disease, such as rickets, which is rare in the United States.
When was the IOM report on Vitamin D and Calcium published?
The long-awaited report, Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D, was published in 2011. The IOM concluded that evidence for benefits other than improved bone health came from studies that could not be considered reliable and provided often-conflicting results.
Is vitamin D a bad vitamin?
On the other hand, lower-than- optimal levels of specific vitamins, including vitamin D, may increase your risk of numerous health problems, even though they are not solely responsible for these problems. "Insufficiency" may be a better term for these lower levels than "vitamin D deficiency".
Is vitamin D good for bones?
So far, the most clearly established benefit of vitamin D is that it helps the body absorb calcium and therefore promotes healthy bones. However, a steady drumbeat of studies beginning in the 1980s started to build a case that low blood levels of D were connected with a variety of chronic health problems, leading to claims by a number of researchers that the RDA for D was way too low. The confusion and controversy surrounding optimal vitamin D intake and blood values prompted the U.S. and Canadian governments to request that the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now called the Health and Medicine Division) review the evidence on vitamin D and calcium and update the DRIs.
Usual Adult Dose for Osteoporosis
Calcium - General Range: 1000 mg to 1300 mg daily Vitamin D - General Range: 200 international units to 800 international units daily Note: While much larger vitamin D dosages have been recommended as a single agent, many calcium-vitamin D combination supplements will contain approximately 200 international units to 400 international units of vitamin D per dose..
Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement
Calcium - General Range: 1000 mg to 1300 mg daily Vitamin D - General Range: 200 international units to 800 international units daily Note: While much larger vitamin D dosages have been recommended as a single agent, many calcium-vitamin D combination supplements will contain approximately 200 international units to 400 international units of vitamin D per dose..
Precautions
Caution is recommended when used in patients with severe renal impairment.
Other Comments
Should be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Taking up to 500 mg of calcium with food improves absorption.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
How many people take vitamin D supplements?
The analysis of 2015–2016 data also showed that 28% of all individuals aged 2 years and older in the United States took a dietary supplement containing vitamin D [ 38 ]. In addition, 26% of participants aged 2–5 years and 14% of those aged 6–11 years took supplements; rates increased with age from 10% of those aged 12–19 years to 49% of men and 59% of women aged 60 and older. Total vitamin D intakes were three times higher with supplement use than with diet alone; the mean intake from foods and beverages alone for individuals aged 2 and older was 4.8 mcg (192 IU) but increased to 19.9 mcg (796 IU) when dietary supplements were included.
Where does vitamin D come from?
Vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, foods, and supplements is biologically inert and must undergo two hydroxylations in the body for activation. The first hydroxylation, which occurs in the liver, converts vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH)D], also known as “calcidiol.”.
What vitamin deficiency causes rickets?
Associated with vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to rickets in infants and children and osteomalacia in adults. 30 to <50. 12 to <20. Generally considered inadequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals. ≥50. ≥20. Generally considered adequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals. >125.
How many people have osteoporosis?
More than 53 million adults in the United States have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue that increases bone fragility and the risk of bone fractures [ 71 ]. About 2.3 million osteoporotic fractures occurred in the United States in 2015 [ 72 ]. Osteoporosis is, in part, a long-term effect of calcium and/or vitamin D insufficiency, in contrast to rickets and osteomalacia, which result from vitamin D deficiency. Osteoporosis is most often associated with inadequate calcium intakes, but insufficient vitamin D intakes contribute to osteoporosis by reducing calcium absorption [ 1 ].
Why is vitamin D important for muscle growth?
Vitamin D is also needed for the normal development and growth of muscle fibers. In addition, inadequate vitamin D levels can adversely affect muscle strength and lead to muscle weakness and pain (myopathy) [ 1 ].
What is the serum concentration of 25?
Serum concentration of 25 (OH)D is currently the main indicator of vitamin D status. It reflects vitamin D produced endogenously and that obtained from foods and supplements [ 1 ]. In serum, 25 (OH)D has a fairly long circulating half-life of 15 days [ 1 ]. Serum concentrations of 25 (OH)D are reported in both nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) and nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). One nmol/L is equal to 0.4 ng/mL, and 1 ng/mL is equal to 2.5 nmol/L.
What is the role of vitamin D in the body?
Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism [ 1-3 ]. Many genes encoding proteins that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis are modulated in part by vitamin D. Many tissues have vitamin D receptors, and some convert 25 (OH)D to 1,25 (OH)2D.
How does the body produce vitamin D?
Not naturally found in many foods, the most common way your body produces vitamin D is by converting direct sunlight into an active form of the nutrient. People over the age of 65 have been shown to produce less vitamin D. It is speculated that this may occur either because people over 65 go outside less or because it is harder to convert sunlight into vitamin D as you age.
What foods are fortified with vitamin D?
Milk (fortified) Yogurt (fortified) Cereals (fortified) Soy, almond, and oat milk. Cow's Milk. Mushrooms. Egg. Beef liver. The types of milk, yogurt, and cereals that are good to consume for vitamin D are fortified with it.
Why is vitamin D important for bones?
Vitamin D is closely related to building and maintaining healthy bones. It also helps with anti-inflammation, immune support, muscle function, generating brain cells, and giving your body antioxidants. Older people need to have enough vitamin D in their diet to maintain their bone health and prevent damage to their bones or muscles when they fall.
What is the effect of vitamin D on bone?
Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone diseases like osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and other conditions that make the bones weak, brittle, and easy to fracture. Therefore, consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D can ensure that your body can better take care of itself should you fall or undergo some sort of trauma.
How much IU of a pill should an elderly person take?
To avoid this, consider purchasing the chewable versions of these products. Older adults can take an average of 4000 IU a day safely. This is a high number and is the highest that is recommended for older adults to take regularly.
Does vitamin D help bones?
As an older person, supplementing vitamin D will help your bones to stay healthy and strong and perhaps prevent other signs of aging. You should get a blood test to see what your vitamin D levels are. If they are very low, talk to your doctor about how to effectively incorporate more vitamin D into your life.
Does vitamin D decrease with age?
As stated previously, our body’s ability to naturally convert sunlight to vitamin D decreases with age. It also is recommended that seniors try and stay out of direct sunlight and wear sunscreen to protect against sun damage to the skin.
What are the benefits of vitamin D?
However, more studies are needed to determine the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for cognitive health. Inherited bone disorders. Vitamin D supplements can be used to help treat inherited disorders resulting from an inability to absorb or process vitamin D, such as familial hypophosphatemia. Multiple sclerosis.
How does the body make vitamin D?
Your body also makes vitamin D when direct sunlight converts a chemical in your skin into an active form of the vitamin (calciferol). The amount of vitamin D your skin makes depends on many factors, including the time of day, season, latitude and your skin pigmentation.
What is the best vitamin for psoriasis?
Applying vitamin D or a topical preparation that contains a vitamin D compound called calcipotriene to the skin can treat plaque-type psoriasis in some people. Rickets. This rare condition develops in children with vitamin D deficiency. Supplementing with vitamin D can prevent and treat the problem.
What happens if you don't get enough vitamin D?
If you don't get enough vitamin D through sunlight or dietary sources, you might need vitamin D supplements.
Why is vitamin D important for bone?
That's because your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity.
Does vitamin D help with osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis. Studies suggest that people who get enough vitamin D and calcium in their diets can slow bone mineral loss, help prevent osteoporosis and reduce bone fractures. Ask your doctor if you need a calcium and vitamin D supplement to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Psoriasis.
Does Orlistat help with vitamin D?
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli). Taking this weight-loss drug can reduce your absorption of vitamin D.