Vitamin D Benefits, Dosage, Deficiency Symptoms, and Functions

Contents

1 Vitamin D Sources
2 Toxicity Symptoms
3 Deficiency Symptoms
4 Absorption Factors
5 Dosage and Caution
- - 5.0.1 REFERENCES

Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals out of the digestive tract. The thyroid gland requires it. Parathyroids use it to regulate calcium levels in the blood. It is also needed to properly form bones and teeth, especially during childhood. This vitamin possesses many anticancer properties, especially against breast and colon cancer. (Both types of cancer are higher in areas where people are exposed to the least sunlight.)

Vitamin D Sources

Vitamin D and vitamin B12 are the only vitamins never found in fruits and vegetables. Leafy greens have all the vitamins except those two. (However, if there is enough cobalt in the body, the bowel can make its own B12.) Vitamin D food sources include milk and egg yolks. Beware of fish liver oils! They can damage the heart muscle. (Recent research indicates that there is some vitamin D in dark green leafy vegetables.

Non-Dietetic sources – Sunlight on the skin will provide all the vitamin D you need. Muslim women, fully clothed in black cloth, get adequate amounts of D just by exposing their bare feet to the sum for a few minutes every few days.

Toxicity Symptoms

Excessive amounts of vitamin D can produce increased blood concentration of calcium (a serious situation), deposits of calcium on internal organs, or kidney stones. Some researchers believe that long-term use of “vitamin D fortified foods” (“vitamin D milk,” etc.) increases the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease (by decreasing magnesium absorption).

Deficiency Symptoms

Pyorrhea, tooth decay, rickets (in children) and osteomalacia (adults), osteoporosis, retarded growth, muscular weakness, and old-age bone problems. Deficiency symptoms primarily occur in older adults who do not get any sunlight, especially in nursing homes. The result is a lack of bone strength and density and joint pain.

Absorption Factors

Vitamins A and C, calcium, choline, essential fatty acids, and phosphorous are needed for vitamin S absorption. Mineral oil, phenobarbital, Dilantin, and other drugs interfere with vitamin D absorption and/or utilization.

Dosage and Caution

RDA 400 IU/ ODA 275 IU/ TDA 1000 IU. Recommended dosage and caution – 200-400 USP units. A therapeutic dose is up to 4000-5000 units in a day for adults and half that for children if taken for not longer than one month. Taking too much vitamin D is dangerous! This is the most hazardous of the vitamins if too much is taken (vitamin A is second, but far less of a problem).

Vitamin D can be toxic in excessive doses over some time, especially in infants. The best way to get this vitamin is by exposing your body to sunlight. Doses of 1800 units a day can cause stunted growth in infants and young children. High intake can lead to a coma. Never take over 600 IU a day, half for children, even less for infants. However, older adults not exposed to sunlight or living in northern latitudes should take a daily supplement of 400-600 IU.

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