everyone needs more vitamin D

May 20, 2007

That was the gist of an interesting story package in today's Tribune.

Most people, and especially seniors and children, don't get the daily

recommendation for vitamin D. And scientists say that the RDA isn't

really adequate. They want to see the current recommendation of 200-

600

mg a day bounced up to 1,000-2,000 mg a day.

Vitamin D deficiencies are tied to bone weakness, of course. But there

have also been established links to autoimmune diseases.

The group at highest risk of vit D deficiency includes infants who are

dark-skinned, breast-fed, and born in the winter.

Sunshine is a prime source of vit D, but dermatologist say there is NO

safe level of sunshine. (And that risk worsens posttx.) The NIH says

if

you'll need to spend 20 minutes twice a week in full sun, with your

face and arms exposed and free of sunblock, Or about 4 minutes in a

tanning bed.

Vit D is highest in fortified cow's milk, soy milk, orange juice and

cereals, fatty fish, fish oil and egg yolk. Most dieticians agree it's

extremely difficult to get enough through diet alone.

Here are the links

12eufaemay20,1,3120715.column

0520_vita_jumpmay20,1,7538093.column

If you can't access it, let me know and I'll send you copies

Pam

(mom to Quantell, 17, dx 1996, tx 2001, dx recurrence with AIH overlap

2006)

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