Boston researchers released new guidelines on Monday on how much vitamin D people should take. The study showed that some people should take more than the recommended amount. Experts say vitamin D is essential for health, but most Americans don’t get enough from sunlight or food. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and boosts immunity. The Endocrine Society currently recommends that healthy adults under 75 years old stick to the daily intake limit of 600 IU for those 19 to 70 years old and 800 IU for those 75 years old. There is no benefit to taking more, experts say. But the society now recommends extra vitamin D for certain groups, including children, adults over 75, pregnant women and people with prediabetes. “So if your blood sugar levels are not normal but not enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, there is ample evidence that taking vitamin D above that level, above that intake level, reduces your risk of progression to diabetes,” said Dr. Anastasios Pittas of Tufts Medical Center. Experts say many multivitamins and calcium supplements already contain vitamin D, so people should check every bottle and calculate how much they’re currently taking.
Researchers in Boston on Monday published new guidelines for how much vitamin D people should take, after a study found that some people should get more than the recommended amount.
Most Americans don’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight or food, even though experts say it’s an essential nutrient for health. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and boosts the immune system.
The Endocrine Society currently recommends that healthy adults under the age of 75 adhere to limits of 600 IU per day for those between the ages of 19 and 70, and 800 IU for those up to age 75.
Experts say there’s no benefit to taking more than that.
But the organization now recommends extra vitamin D for certain groups, including children, adults over 75, pregnant women and people with prediabetes.
“If your blood sugar levels are not normal but not enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, there is good evidence that taking vitamin D above that level can reduce your risk of progressing to diabetes,” said Dr. Anastasios Pittas of Tufts Medical Center.
Experts say many multivitamin and calcium supplements already contain vitamin D, so people should check every bottle and calculate how much they’re currently taking.
