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Vitamin & Mineral Guide: Vitamin D

Builds and maintains strong teeth and bones; aids calcium absorption; vitamin D and calcium together may help prevent osteoporosis, aid weight loss and improve blood lipid levels; modulates the immune system, which may protect against autoimmune diseases, such as RA; may reduce the risk of breast and colorectal cancers.

How Much: RDA = 200 IU for adults through age 50; 400 IU from 51 to 70 years of age; 600 IU age 70 and older.

Too Much: UL = 2,000 IU (although a 2007 study shows up to 10,000 IU may be safe).

Too Little: A high risk of osteoporosis. Low levels lead to muscle weakness, which can cause older people to tire easily and fall.

Foods: Fortified milk, orange juice and breakfast cereals; egg yolks, butter, salmon, herring, tuna and sardines.

Interactions: Corticosteroids, such as prednisone; antacids that contain magnesium, cholestyramine (Questran); and mineral oil.

Research Note: People with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who increased their daily vitamin D intake gained muscle strength and improved physical function. Daily vitamin D supplements increase calcium absorption by 65 percent, but that benefit can be blocked by consuming more than 300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day.

Isabel

18 Dec 2011, 01:52

I have been on 50,000 iu for such a long time 2 years my DR says that the level should be 50 what ever points I guess it is now about 32 it was lower like 12 I'm somewhat better but I still have a lot of body pain now I'm taking celebrex I don't know what to do for the pain
for Barbara I found a local clinic in my area that is for patients who don't have insurance I pay a co pay 25.00 and is going to help with my prescriptions you might check in your area and now put me on the 2,000 I hope that will work

judith

28 Nov 2011, 13:55

I have to take vitamin D, what would be best as i suffer from constipation. Which one will not cause constipation.
thanks

Barbara

09 Sep 2011, 23:06

I have been taking 50,000 iu of vitamin D every other week and im still in all sorts of pain everyday i dont beleive that vita d alone will decrease pain.Now that i dont have insurance i have to pay for blood work and docts visits and cannot aford it .i will not take the pills any longer,because i dont know my number.It has been as low as 16.I will continue to be encouraged through this.

Gale Cousins

30 Aug 2011, 12:52

My vitamin D3 level was down to 17. I started taking vitamin D3 and notice that there was improvement in my joints and I had less pain in my knee and my knee did not crack when I woke up in the morning.

laurie

03 Jun 2011, 10:19

my vit d level is 18 my doctor has me on 5000iu a day. since i've been on it (2 weeks) i have noticed an increase in aches all over my body. is this normal?

Sandie

12 Apr 2011, 13:28

I take 5000ui of Vitamin D a day. Lately I, in the last month, I feel tired all the time & having leg & foot cramps. I also takr mag/cal pill with it. How much vitamin D, cal/mag does a person need each day? Tell me which foods to eat more of to help with this vitamin.

sheila

05 Apr 2011, 15:06

I to am on vitamin d 50,000 units for 8 wks once a week then once a month then had blood drawn still way low on vitamin d back to once a week . So what is it I have oste arthritis had 2 knee replacements and rotater cuff surgery in last 7 months is it my medications causing it or something else I think its the crest-or I take the relafen 1500mg ,toprol gabapentin, prilosec doxcycline for rosacea poss I have R.A HAVE NOT BEEN DIAG. But told borderline also could have the beginnings of lupus any one help have no ins. anymore to find out what is causing the low vit d I eat well...

Stephanie

25 Feb 2011, 13:56

Low Vitamin D levels also contribute to depression, 3 years ago was depressed and could not kick the feeling, had Vit. D tested it was 18, normal is between 30-50. Did a bolus of 50,000 units and started 1,000 units Vitamin D. every day, has worked wonders, had to increase to 2,000 units during winter time, and remember Vitamin D, also boosts the immune system, especially if you are on various RA meds as myself, and yes I have been on as high a dose as 4,000 units per day, especially in the winter when exposure to flus and viruses increase, for added immune boosting.

David

15 Feb 2011, 12:35

I haven taken approximately 5-8,000 iu's in the form of D3 drops each day. I have psoriatic arthritis. My levels have been tested after over two years of supplementing at this level and have come back in the normal range.

I've had no known side effects.

I should mention that I've read that people with psoriatic arthritis normally have lower levels of vit D.

I would recommend taking the guesswork out, begin supplementation if you want to see if it helps, and get tested occasionally by your physician. It is a simple blood test.

Tonie

01 Feb 2011, 16:24

I take Vit D in my Ca with Mag. It is in a suppliment called Cal-mag from Shaklee. SInce I have been taking it , my Vit D levels have never been low and that has been over 6 years.
For more info on this and more products:
www.play4work.com

Natalie

01 Feb 2011, 11:09

What is the difference and purpose of taking vitamin D3 2000 I.U. as compared to the same strength 2000 I.U. of vitamin D?

joan nast

27 Apr 2010, 14:39

my doctor said i am low in vitamin D he sugessted 50000 iu every 3 days sinse i heve been taking it my sholders fingers and knees hurt just because your numbers are low in vitamin D does it mean you must take supplements?

Bill

22 Apr 2010, 11:36

My blood level of vitamin D was about 1/3 of normal levels, my Physician prescribed 50,000 IU every other day. This dosage caused bone pain so the Rx was cut to once per week for several weeks. My level is still on the low side but he has me on 2,000 units per day. This treatment has improved my energy level some.

Marie Fernberg

05 Mar 2010, 10:12

After a bone density test, my primary put me on 2000 units of Vitamin D. Had been taking and still am 1200 units of Calcium. He also added 1200 units of Omega 3 capsules. The Omega 3 was added because I have had adverse reactions to several Statins. Have PMR and Osteo Arth. and take 7 mgs. of Pred. a day. Am I too heavy on the supplement end? Can't seem to get a straight answer from the doctors. Fot a little nervous when I read your Vitamin D section.

Thomas Idicula

10 Jul 2009, 07:51

which vegetables and fruits contains vitamin d.

Mystickal Freya

10 Jun 2009, 20:32

my doctor just put me on a one time a week for 12 warbieeks 50,000 units of vitamin D

Chris

20 May 2009, 17:44

I too read the Vitamin D story and, in fact, the researchers used 2,000 units a day for people with low back pain. They found it helped many and completely relieved pain in others. They suspect it was improved calcium absorption.

Jodi MacLean

23 Mar 2009, 16:02

According to December issue of Arthritis Today (pg 50)the article suggests the new daily dose of Vitamin D should be a least 1,000 IU a day.

Please advise.

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Vitamin & Mineral Guide: Vitamin D

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