Health Buzz: 1 in 5 Youngsters Lacking in Vitamin D and Other Health News

Reader Comments
Back to article

I find it most disturbing that current medical and lay literature sources are bursting at the seams with convincing evidence of the far-reaching benefits of the hormone we call vitamin D, and yet the FDA and NIH have not updated their recommendations for daily vitamin D supplementation since the one they published in 1997. That recommendation was for 200, 400, or 600 i.u. daily, depending on one's age.
In fact, the NIH held a conference of experts in August this past summer, but won't share the decisions made at that meeting until next spring. In the meanwhile, an uninformed public will likely pay the consequences of their "thumb-twiddling". We keep seeing media reports about the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the USA, as well as worldwide.
After a good bit of study on this topic during the past 2 years, it's my opinion that an adult should receive a MINIMUM of 2000 i.u. vitamin D daily, and 4000 to 5000 i.u. is probably closer to their real need for optimal health outcomes.

Russ of TN 4:15PM October 27, 2009

It is true vitamin d does interfere with your immune system.
I started taking 5,000 to 10,000IU a day of D3 about 2 years ago and it has meant I get many less days off sick than my colleagues. I catch very few colds, none have caused chest problems. My blood pressure is now ideal. I no longer get mouth ulcers and my gums and teeth and in great condition. I am shockingly healthy compared to how I was.
I believe you may be be referring to Dr Marshall and his ideas. I would argue that the work published over the last few years has proved him wrong.

Pete 9:05AM October 27, 2009

The headline is wrong,
I in 5 are at the level at which rickets is likely. Over 75% are suboptimal.

Pete 8:57AM October 27, 2009

That's for sure! Too low levels of it weaken the immune system.

Ed of NC 3:14AM October 27, 2009

I read in a medical journal that although many people are indeed deficient in vitamin D, taking it as oral supplement may interfere with one's autoimmune system. I would suggest researching this before scarfing vitamin D, or giving it to your children in any significant amount.

Techno Nerd Boy of WA 6:41PM October 26, 2009

What do you expect when pundits warn about skin cancer and push people to wear sunblock or to wear long sleeves and pants? Combine that with a paranoid danger of kids playing outdoors which leads to game console overuse or even indoor only sports and you have a recipe for lacking in Vitamin D.

Robocoastie of NE 6:27PM October 26, 2009

It's because children are either indoors to read, play video games or watch television.
Don't get me wrong, the above mentioned material is great on rainy days, but seriously, children want to do more things indoors than out.
Plus, the parents are always busy, so when do they have time to toss the baseball with Johnny?
In some cases, the neighborhood might seem unsafe to the parents, so they have just another excuse to have their children indoors.

Matt of MN 5:29PM October 26, 2009

The amount of vitamin D in milk is not enough to make a difference in these deficiencies. Not even close.

rz of NY 5:20PM October 26, 2009

Remember back when the farmers said they had to destroy their herds because they fed them feed with toxins added to it.
They (Farmers) promised when they re-built thier herds the price of milk would return to the current price which was $.99 cents a gallon that every corner gas station was selling.
Another lie to the American people!
Milk went up to $1.29 a gallon, the $1.39 and has been increasing by $.10 a gallon sometime as much as twice a year untill milk was actually as much as $4.00 a gallon in some places.
America! The land of Liars if it will make a little more to line their pockets with. Government or private. All we get are lies and more lies at every turn. Honesty is something I teach my child, but now place it in American History as that is the only place it seems to belong. The truth is certainly not used today.
Especially in Washington, where they call insurance something you pay for out of paocket and then pay 20% of the cost out of pocket again when you use it. THATS NOT INSURANCE! Thats they got thier re-election money and watered down something good to something that is useless.
Still can't find that honest man I was told lived somewhere on this Planet.

Robert Therrien of MI 4:41PM October 26, 2009