Vitamin D May Improve Health At Higher Intakes

Recent evidence suggests vitamin D intakes above current recommended levels may be associated with better health outcomes, both for young people and adults. A scientific review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (84, 18-28, 2006), including research from Harvard and Tufts universities, suggests higher vitamin D intakes may be associated with better health outcomes regarding bone mineral density (BMD), lower-extremity function, dental health, risk of falls, fractures and colorectal cancer.

Researchers found the most advantageous serum concentrations of vitamin D for the health conditions begin at 75 nmol/L and the best are between 90 and 100 nmol/L. In most persons, these concentrations could not be reached with the currently recommended daily intakes of 200 and 600 IU vitamin D for younger and older adults, respectively.

The researchers suggest increasing the currently recommended intakes of vitamin D for adults to more than 1,000 IU (cholecalciferol) to increase serum concentrations of the vitamin to 75 nmol/L in no less than 50 percent of the population. Furthermore, the authors suggest implications of higher doses for the entire adult population should be addressed in future studies.