Dr. Weil Ups Vitamin D Recommendation

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., raised his recommendation of 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day to 2,000 IU per day in a statement released on The Huffington Post. Dr. Weil, the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and the editorial director of DrWeil.com, said the increase in daily intake of vitamin D can help bone mineralization, and can help to prevent several cancers, cardiovascular disease (CVD), autoimmune disorders, psoriasis, diabetes, psychosis, and respiratory infections including colds and the flu.

In his statement, he covered studies that show 2,000 IU/d of sunshine vitamin could ward of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. He said vitamin D could have saved the lives of more than 20,000 American women in 2009 who died from breast cancer.

He wrote, vitamin D deficiency is widespread; foods that contain vitamin d, such as fortified milk and cereals as well as eggs, salmon, tuna and mackerel, do not contain enough to increase blood concentrations to optimal levels; and it may be difficult for many to get the sufficient UV radiation from the sun. Thus, he said most people need to take a vitamin D supplement.

In 2005, Dr. Weil raised his recommendation from 400 to 1,000 IU/d. Currently the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) recommends 400 IU/d.

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