Re: Recommendations for Vitamin D should be revised upward

November 11, 2005

Hi All,

See the pdf-available below information.

This Week in JAMA

JAMA. 2005;294:2273.

JAMA Patient Page

For your patients: Information about vitamin D.

Vitamin D

Brender; Alison Burke; M. Glass

JAMA. 2005;294:2386.

Vitamin D is a vitamin (a substance the body requires in small doses for proper

nutrition and function) that is fat-soluble, meaning that it is dissolved and

stored

in the fat of your body. Vitamin D maintains proper levels of calcium and

phosphorus

in the blood and together with calcium builds strong bones. The November 9,

2005,

issue of JAMA contains an article about sufficient levels of vitamin D for

healthy

bones.

SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE

Sun exposure for 10 to 15 minutes at least twice a week usually provides

adequate

amounts of vitamin D. Certain conditions such as cloud cover, northern climates,

pollution, and the winter months may not provide adequate sunlight exposure.

Excess

sun exposure causes skin cancer, so you should limit exposure to sunlight, not

use

tanning beds, and wear protective clothing and a sunscreen with a sun protection

factor (SPF) of at least 15 when outdoors for longer than 10 to 15 minutes twice

a

week. Infants should be kept out of direct sunlight all together.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

When vitamin D levels are low, bones become weak and brittle. In children,

vitamin D

deficiency causes a disease called rickets, which results in poorly developed

weak

bones, delayed growth, immune deficiencies, and, when severe, seizures. In

adults,

vitamin D deficiency causes a disease called osteomalacia, which results in weak

bones, fractures, bone pain, and weakness. Low levels of vitamin D may be a

factor

in osteoporosis (thin bones).

WHO IS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

Infants who are exclusively breast-fed or receiving less than about 2 cups a day

of

vitamin D–fortified formula or milk

People who have darker-pigmented skin

People with very limited sunlight exposure

People with fat malabsorption diseases, such as pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis,

celiac disease, and surgical resection of the bowel

People who have liver or kidney disease or enzyme deficiencies

People in the northern hemisphere during winter

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D DO YOU NEED?

For infants to adults aged 50 years, the daily adequate intake is 200

international

units (IU) of vitamin D. For adults aged 51 to 70 years, 400 IU is required, and

for

those older than 70 years, 600 IU is recommended. Discuss with your doctor the

proper vitamin D intake and sun exposure for you and whether you should take a

supplement, especially if you are at risk of developing a deficiency. Too much

vitamin D can occur from taking excess vitamin D supplements and can cause

serious

problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness or even confusion and heart

rhythm

abnormalities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov

American Dietetic Association

http://www.eatright.org

American Academy of Pediatrics

http://www.aap.org

Al Pater, PhD; email: old542000@...

__________________________________

FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

http://farechase.

November 11, 2005