|
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is called the
sunlight vitamin because the body produces
it when the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays
strike the skin. It is the only vitamin the
body manufactures naturally and is
technically considered a hormone. Essential
for building strong bones and teeth, vitamin
D also helps to strengthen the immune system
and may prevent some types of cancer.
While just 10 to 15
minutes in the summer sun a few days a week
supplies adequate amounts of vitamin D,
those who can't get out in the sun may need
a supplement. In winter, people in northern
climes who don't get enough sun may also
need additional amounts of the vitamin.
Unfortunately, the body's ability to
manufacture vitamin D appears to decline
with age, so older adults may need to get
more vitamin D through diet (fortified milk
and fatty fish have good amounts) or
supplements, whether they're exposed to
sunlight or not.
Surprisingly, even younger
adults may have inadequate stores of this
nutrient: In one study involving almost 300
patients of varying ages who were
hospitalized for different types of
ailments, 57% were found to have low levels
of vitamin D. This insufficiency occurred in
a full one-third of the people who were
getting the recommended amounts of vitamin D
from their diet or supplements.
By promoting the absorption
and balance of calcium and phosphorous in
the body, vitamin D strengthens the bones
and teeth and also fosters normal muscle
contraction and nerve function. It is also
useful for promoting immunity and blood cell
formation. In addition, Vitamin D
supplements may slow or even reverse some
cancers.
Specifically, vitamin D
may help to:
Prevent osteoporosis.
The body cannot absorb calcium from food or
supplements without an adequate intake of
vitamin D. If calcium levels in the blood
are too low, the body will steal the mineral
from the bones and supply the muscles and
nerves with the amount they need. Over time,
the loss of calcium in the bones can lead to
osteoporosis, a disease in which bones
become porous and prone to fractures. After
menopause, women are particularly at risk
for developing this condition. Vitamin D
taken along with calcium plays a critical
role in maintaining bone density.
In a study of 176 men and
213 women over age 65 done at Tufts
University, those who took 500 mg of calcium
and 700 IU of vitamin D daily for three
years experienced a decrease in bone density
loss. Moreover, the incidence of fractures
was cut in half. In another study, of 3,270
healthy elderly French women, a daily
dietary supplement of 1,200 mg calcium plus
800 IU of vitamin D lowered the incidence of
hip fractures by 43% in just two years.
Protect against
certain types of cancer.
Some studies indicate that vitamin D may be
useful in preventing cancer of the breast,
colon, and prostate. In a clinical trial of
438 men, researchers reported that
participants with colon cancer had lower
blood levels of vitamin D than those who did
not have the disease. In addition, the men
with the highest intake of vitamin D were
the least likely to get colon cancer. More
studies are needed to support this finding
and to determine if it is applicable to
women.
Slow joint damage due
to arthritis. One
recent study showed that taking 400 IU or
more of vitamin D daily was effective in
delaying or stopping the progression of
osteoarthritis of the knees. It did not,
however, prevent the disease from
developing.
Ease back pain.
Individuals who are prone to back problems
may benefit from taking vitamin D because of
its ability to promote strong bones and
cartilage.
Protect against
multiple sclerosis.
Preliminary animal research suggests a
possible connection between high vitamin D
levels and immunity to this disabling nerve
disorder. This hypothesis may explain why
both in the tropics (where there is ample
sun to boost vitamin D levels) and in
coastal Norway (where sun is scarce, but
fatty fish rich in this nutrient abound and
are eaten by the local population), cases of
MS are rare. More studies in humans are
needed, however.
Relieve the symptoms
of psoriasis.
Because it plays a role in skin cell
metabolism and growth, vitamin D may be
helpful in treating the itching and flaking
associated with this skin ailment. A few
studies show that individuals with psoriasis
have low levels of this vitamin. Don't
bother with over-the-counter vitamin D
creams and supplements, however; they have
little effect on psoriasis. Studies do show
that a vitamin D3 derivative (1,25
dihydroxycholecalciferol), or activated
vitamin D, which is available only by
prescription in cream and supplement form,
may be useful for psoriasis. It is thought
to work by helping skin cells to replicate
normally.
- tablet
- softgel
- liquid
- capsule
The government recently
reviewed goals for the daily intake of
Vitamin D for men and women. Called AI
(Adequate Intake), the figures supplant the
old RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) and
represent the amount of daily Vitamin D that
all individuals in the following age groups
should try to meet.
--For men and women ages
19 to 50: 200 IU a day.
--For men and women ages
51 to 70: 400 IU a day.
--For men and women ages
71 and older: 600 IU a day.
For more information on
Adequate Intake and other dietary
guidelines, see Government Dietary
Guidelines.
Insufficient amounts of
vitamin D can lead to the development of
osteoporosis in adults. Other signs of a
deficiency are nervousness, muscle twitches,
insomnia, and diarrhea.
In children, a severe
deficiency can cause a bone-weakening
disease called rickets. Today it is rare to
see a child with rickets in industrialized
countries because milk is fortified with
vitamin D. Moreover, most children get
enough exposure to sunlight for their bodies
to manufacture all the vitamin D that they
need.
Doses greater than 1,000 IU a
day are not recommended; signs and symptoms
of a toxic reaction include loss of
appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and excessive thirst and urination.
Taking 10,000 to 15,000 IU a day regularly
can cause weight loss, paleness,
constipation, fever, and a number of serious
complications. Long-term overconsumption of
vitamin D at any dose greater than 1,000 IU
day may cause high blood pressure and
premature hardening of the arteries. Bones
may weaken and a calcium buildup in muscles
and other soft tissues may occur. Kidney
damage may also develop.
Special tips:
Getting 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your
face, hands, and arms between 8 A.M. and 3
P.M. two or three times a week can supply
all the vitamin D you need. However, you
should consider taking a supplement if you
are over age 50; rarely go outdoors at
midday; always wear sunscreen (the skin
manufactures vitamin D from the sun's
ultraviolet B rays); or don't drink
fortified milk or any other fortified
beverage.
--If you need to take a
supplement for any of the reasons noted
above, many experts advise taking more than
the government-recommended intake as long as
it does not exceed 800 IU a day. Men and
women ages 19 to 50 should take 200 to 400
IU a day. Those over age 50 should take 400
to 600 IU a day. And people over age 70
should get 800 IU a day. Women who are
pregnant or breast-feeding should take an
additional 400 IU daily.
For back pain: Take 400
IU daily.
For preventing and
treating osteoporosis: Take 200 IU of
vitamin D in combination with 600 mg calcium
twice a day.
For osteoarthritis: Take
400 IU daily.
Be sure to check out our
Dosage Recommendations Chart for vitamin D,
which lists therapeutic dosages for specific
ailments at a glance.
To promote absorption, take this fat-soluble vitamin
with food that contains some fat.
Instead of buying
supplemental vitamin D, consider
substituting a daily multivitamin. Most
contain up to 400 IU of this vitamin.
Vitamin D supplements should not be combined with
antacids containing magnesium. Together,
they can cause high blood levels of
magnesium.
When taken with thiazide
diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide,
vitamin D can cause excessive--and possibly
toxic--levels of calcium in the body, which
can cause the kidneys to fail.
Women who are pregnant or
breast-feeding should take no more than 800
IU of vitamin D daily. Higher doses during
pregnancy may cause birth abnormalities.
The body efficiently
eliminates any extra vitamin D it makes from
sunlight. However, toxic reactions--some of
them quite serious--can occur if you get
more than 1,000 IU a day from supplements
and vitamin D-fortified foods.
|
Ailments
|
Dosage
|
|
Arthritis |
400 IU a day
|
|
Crohn's Disease |
400 IU once a
day; should be covered by your
daily multivitamin and
antioxidant.
|
|
Osteoporosis |
200-300 IU twice
a day
|
|
Psoriasis |
1,000 IU a day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home -
About Us -
Contact Us-
Privacy |
|
©2008 HealtheSupplements.com
We accept Visa and MasterCard. We also
accept money orders and checks upon request.
No
claims found on our web pages or in print have been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. Information on this site is provided for
informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice
provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. You should
consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise
or supplement program.
www.healthesupplements.com and its associates are not
responsible for product claims made by manufacturers on this website. Our
objective is to continuously update our website with accurate product
information. However,
www.healthesupplements.com is not responsible for
typographical errors or product formulation changes. For absolute accuracy,
please consult the products actual label before use. If you discover any
inconsistencies on our website, please contact us. Prices and information on
these pages are subject to change without notice.
The supplements, product descriptions, and
information on this website and received from our customer service is
provided as a service to you, our customer.
Our web site/customer service cannot, and
does not, contain information about all medical conditions. It may not
contain all information that is applicable to your personal
circumstances. The content is not intended for diagnosis and should not
be used as substitute for consultation with your physician. Any and all
recommendations or claims implied by the website, manufacturers, or
customer service representatives are not guaranteed and we do not take
responsibility for the results of your supplementation decisions.
As partial consideration for your access to
our website, customer service and use of its content, your agree that
www.healthesupplements.com
is not liable to you in any manner whatsoever for decisions you may make
or your actions or nonactions in reliance upon the content. You also
agree that the aggregate liability of
www.healthesupplements.com
arising from or related to your use and access, regardless of the form
of action or claim (for example, contract, warranty, tort, negligence,
strict liability, professional malpractice, fraud, infringement or other
bases for claims), is limited to the purchase price of any items you
purchased from
www.healthesupplements.com
in the applicable transaction.
www.HealtheSupplements.com
CustomerService@HealtheSupplements.com
|
|
|
