Vitamin D is one of many vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy. This vitamin has many functions, including:
As the name goes, a lower level of Vitamin D in the body is termed as Vitamin D deficiency. Then what is Vitamin D insufficiency? Well, it’s the blood level of Vitamin D measured in the form of serum 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D (calcidiol) that determines it.
Vitamin D comes from two main resources: direct sunshine and select foods.
When the sun is strong, many people are advised to stay out of direct sunlight without sunblock. Sunblock keeps your skin safe from harmful UV rays, but it also blocks your body’s ability to produce vitamin D (an SPF of 8 has been reported to reduce production of vitamin D by 95%).
The answer depends on several factors, including your age and where you live.
To get enough vitamin D from the sun or food alone is difficult. For example, you will need to eat at least a carton of eggs just to get your minimum daily intake. That’s a lot of eggs! This is why supplements are a welcomed option.
Life Stage Group | Daily Requirement | Daily Upper Limit |
---|---|---|
9 – 18 years | 600 – 1,000 IU | 4,000 IU |
Adults | 1,500– 2,000 IU | 10,000 IU |
Pregnancy / Lactation | 1,500– 2,000 IU | 10,000 IU |
Mother’s requirement, 4,000–6,000 IU/d (mother’s intake for infant’s requirement if infant is not receiving 400 IU/d).
*Endocrine Society Guideline
References:
1. N Engl J Med 2007; 357:266-281.
2. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 August; 4(4): 827-836.
3. Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76:187-192.
4. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012 May; 18(2):85-8.
5. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Dec;96(12):3908.
6. Curr Osteoporos Rep (2012) 10:4-15, Vitamin D in the new millennium, Sunil J. Wimalawansa.