In class, I am asked often from students, "How can I get more Vitamin D into my diet?" I have read a lot of reports lately that we are not getting enough Vitamin D in our daily diets.

This indeed is true; many recent research studies are suggesting "we" are not getting the recommended daily doses of Vitamin D. This suggestion may be more true for people who do not get out into the sun often or live in places where there is less natural sunlight. These studies also suggest the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of Vitamin D was originally set too low.

A study conducted by The New England Journal of Medicine reported a group of people who had risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency, 57% were found below normal levels of Vitamin D. 67% of those reported below the RDI had deficiencies characterized as moderate to severe.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that acts as both a vitamin and a hormone. Vitamin D is required for calcium and phosphorus absorption and utilization. This is necessary for proper growth and development of bones and teeth in children. Vitamin D protects against muscle weakness and regulation of the heartbeat.

Vitamin D:

• Helps to prevent osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and hypocalcemia
• Involved in prevention and treatment of breast and colon cancers
• Enhances immunity
• Necessary for thyroid function
• Necessary for normal blood clotting
  

Needless to say, Vitamin D is essential to our health. There are different forms of Vitamin D that have different functions in the body.

• Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) * Comes from food sources
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) *Synthesized from ultraviolet rays (sunshine)
• Vitamin D5 (synthetic form) *Identified as synthetic

Of the 3, Vitamin D3 is considered the most active and natural form. We get Vitamin D from the foods we eat; this Vitamin D is not considered fully active. The Vitamin D we obtain from our diets must be converted by the liver and the kidneys before it can become fully active. This is why people who are at risk for liver or kidney disorders are at higher risk for osteoporosis.

Severe deficiencies of Vitamin D can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults (a similar disease). Lesser symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include loss of appetite, burning sensation around the mouth or throat, diarrhea, insomnia, visual problems, and weight loss.

Sources of Vitamin D include:

• Fish liver oils
• Fatty saltwater fish (especially mackerel)
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Butter
• Cod liver oil
• Dandelion greens
• Egg yolks
• Halibut
• Liver
• Milk
• Shiitake and Chanterelle mushrooms
• Oatmeal
• Oysters
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Sweet potatoes
• Tuna
• Vegetable oils
• Some herbs

In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics increased the recommendations for children to 400 IU per day.

Current recommendations
Adults under 50 = 200 IU per day (international units)
Adults over 50 = 400 IU per day

**Scientists are recommending 2,000 IU per day **
This has been studied to be effective and still within the range of safe upper limits. It is important to note that Vitamin D when taken in excess can be toxic to the body.