Header Header


 


image
image

image

image
image

image
image

image

image



Tell me about...

Vitamin D

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is actually a term for a group of hormones that are stored mainly in the liver, as well as fat and muscle tissue. It is one of three vitamins naturally manufactured by the body, and it is produced by a chemical reaction to the ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight.

Why do we need it?

Vitamin D increases the body's absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. This makes it essential to maintaining strong, healthy bones and teeth.

How much vitamin D should I take?

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is as follows:

  • Adult men: 200 international units (5 micrograms)/day
  • Adult women: 200 international units (5 micrograms)/day
  • Adults age 51-70: 400 international units (10 micrograms)/day
  • Adults 71 and over: 600 international units (15 micrograms)/day
  • Children aged 7-10: 200 international units (5 micrograms)/day
  • Infants: 200 international units (5 micrograms)/day
  • Pregnant/lactating women: 200 international units (5 micrograms)/day

What are some good sources of vitamin D?

Exposure to sunlight is the easiest way to build up stores of vitamin D. By exposing the face, hands and forearms for between 15-20 minutes two or three times per week, most people can manufacture all the vitamin D they need.

Vitamin D is also found in a number of food products, most notably vitamin D-fortified milk. Other sources include egg yolks, fish, cheese, fortified cereals and liver.

What can happen if I don't get enough vitamin D?

Vitamin D deficiency can result in bone-related disorders such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D deficiency also increases the risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women, and has been linked to higher incidences of prostate cancer and breast cancer.

What can happen if I take too much vitamin D?

High doses of vitamin D can be very toxic. In children, large doses can cause mental retardation, stunted growth and kidney failure. In older children and adults, too much vitamin D can result in weakness, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea and changes in a person's mental state. With the exception of kidney failure, low-calcium diets and withdrawal of vitamin D from a person's diet can usually reverse these side-effects.

Other Resources :

The More You Know About Vitamins

The More You Know About Nutrition

Subscribe to "To Your Health" our free e-mail health newsletter.

Ask a DC

Find a Chiropractor Near You

References

• Hypovitaminosis D in medical patients. New England Journal of Medicine March 19, 1998.
• Safe amounts of vitamins. Health News August 26, 1998.
• Vitamins, minerals, diet and prostate cancer. Harvard Men's Health Watch May 1998.
• Vitamin D deficiency ups fracture risk. Reuters Health, April 27, 1999.
• Vitamin D in infancy increases girls' bone density. Reuters Health, December 28, 1999.


Designed by Dynamic Chiropractic


To report inappropriate ads,click here

Advertising Information | About Us | DC Deals & Events Newsletter | ChiroFind | ChiroPoll | Chiropractic Directory
Chiropractic Mailing Lists | Chiropractic Product Showcase | Classified Advertising | DC News Update Newsletter
Discussion Forums | Event Calendar | For Chiropractic Students | Link to Us | Meet the Staff
Other Sources | Previous Issues | Research Review Newsletter | Site Map | Webcasts

[ Home ] [ Contact Us ]

Other MPA Media Sites:
DynamicChiropractic | DynamicChiropractic Canada | ChiroFind | ToYourHealth | AcupunctureToday
MassageToday | ChiropracticResearchReview | SpaTherapy | NutritionalWellness | NaturopathyDigest

Policies:
Privacy Policy | User Agreement

All Rights Reserved, Dynamic Chiropractic, 2011.