Vitamin D levels adequate, may be time to cut supplements

Vitamin D Levels Enough Among Americans

Vitamin D levels in the United States seem to meet current recommended guidelines according to a report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Just eight percent of Americans suffer from Vitamin D deficiency which is linked to numerous conditions like cancer and diabetes. The vitamin is also a nutrient crucial in bone health.

Past studies have reinforced the idea that one way to prevent those conditions is to step up the recommended dietary intake or take supplements of Vitamin D.

However, the Institute of Medicine reviewed the current guidelines and decided not to make any changes.

"The IOM finds that the evidence supports a role for vitamin D and calcium in bone health but not in other health conditions," it said.

The institute also raised some concern regarding the rising trend of taking loads of Vitamin D.

"Further, emerging evidence indicates that too much of these nutrients may be harmful, challenging the concept that "more is better," it wrote in its report released last year.

The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys taken from 2001 to 2006 showed that 67 percent of Americans had adequate Vitamin D levels in their blood.

But 24 percent were considered at risk for low levels and eight percent were at risk of vitamin D deficiency. For the last two groups, increasing intake of foods rich in the nutrient or taking supplements may help achieve sufficient levels.

Kids ages 1 to 8 had the lowest risk and the risk increased until age 30. For those above 30, the risk of Vitamin D deficiency tapered off.

Posted by George Daniels on Thursday March 31 2011, 9:07 AM EST. Ref: LA Times. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0