Scientific
Half Of Us Aren't Getting Enough Vitamin D
- The Sun (via Matt McGee)
You're probably vitamin D deficient, according to an article published in this month's Endocrine Today (What? You're not a subscriber?) In North American and Western Europe, experts estimate about half of us aren't getting enough vitamin D. Elsewhere in the world, the numbers are more like two-thirds. What gives?
One explanation: We spend too much time indoors nowadays, limiting the vitamin D we get from the sun. Another explanation: The current recommended daily intake is 200 international units (IU) for people up to 50 years old, but many scientists now think the recommended daily intake should be something more like 2,000 to 4,000 IU for most adults. So those vitamin D fortified foods we're eating need to be way more fortified. That or we all need a daily dose of cod liver oil, one of the few foods naturally packed with vitamin D. Curious about what might happen if you actually got enough vitamin D? The New York Times reports on some dramatic performance gains for athletes who up their intake.
- Charity D.'s blog
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Comments
Funny, I just looked for cod liver oil at a Safeway superstore the other day. A blockade of shelves devoted to fish oil capsules in general, yes; any hint of cod liver oil in particular, no.
Submitted by spindig on 07.19.10 at 01:54.
This is SO IMPORTANT.
It can take a long time to clear up a deficiency, and having one long enough can provoke autoimmune disease (which it apparently did in my case. Boo.). I was diagnosed with a deficiency even while taking 2000 units daily as a supplement. I had to take Rx-strength 50,000 IU pills once a week to get up to a normal level.
The sad thing is, even though I had pretty classic symptoms (autoimmune illness, chronic joint, bone, and muscle pain, extreme fatigue), I had to ask my doctor to test me. Three primary care physicians, an endocrinologist, an ENT, and a rheumatologist-- none of them thought to do this blood test.
Submitted by sadie on 07.19.10 at 05:09.
my question - how is it possible to NOT be vitamin D deficient? My (internal) response to the doctor when i was told I was vitamin D deficient: "Its January in New York and I'm supposed to get more sunshine? riiiiiiiiiiiiight"
Submitted by yeahredgymnast on 07.19.10 at 07:41.