eileen

Dose of vitamin D too little, some say

Studies: Greater intake may benefit

By Rob Stein | The Washington Post July 6, 2008 WASHINGTON — A flurry of recent research indicating that vitamin D may have a dizzying array of health benefits has reignited debate over whether federal guidelines for the "sunshine vitamin" are outdated, leaving millions vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments.

The studies have produced evidence that low levels of vitamin D make men more likely to have heart attacks; breast and colon cancer victims less likely to survive; kidney disease victims more likely to die; and children more likely to develop diabetes. Two other studies suggested that higher vitamin D levels reduce the risk of dying prematurely from any cause.

In response, several medical societies are considering new recommendations for a minimum daily vitamin D intake, and federal officials are planning to update guidelines.

But many experts caution against taking large doses of vitamin D. It can be toxic at high doses, and some studies suggest it could increase the risk for some health problems.

A vocal cadre of researchers is pushing doctors and patients to stop waiting for new official guidelines. Physicians should routinely test patients for vitamin D deficiencies, and more people—especially African-Americans—should take supplements and increase their exposure to the sun, they say.

Vitamin D is a vital nutrient the skin produces when hit by ultraviolet light from sunlight and other sources. The amount of vitamin D produced varies; African-Americans and other dark-skinned people, and anyone living in northern latitudes, make far less than other groups.

With people spending more time indoors, the amount of vitamin D that people create has been falling. Most people get very little through diet.

Federal guidelines call for people to get 200 to 600 international units a day. But those recommendations were last updated in 1997 and were aimed primarily at preventing bone diseases.

SOURCE LINK: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/n...,5135300.story

__________________
"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen