Vitamin D and calcium study questions use of health supplements

Many food products now come with added vitamin D and calcium. These 2 nutrients are essential for health and strong bones. Vitamin D may play a role in avoiding cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Institute of Medicine has done a study saying many people may be supplementing their diet with too much vitamin D.

dietVitamin D analyzed by Institute of Medicine

There have been more than 1,000 published studies about the use and advantages of calcium and vitamin D in recent years. There were commonalities found in the tests by the Institute of Medicine. Being a nonprofit company the Institute of Medicine advices the U.S. govt. Its evaluation of vitamin D and calcium finds that a lot of people won’t benefit from more than 600 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D and 700 to 1,300 milligrams per day.

dietThe help from vitamin D and calcium

Right now, the way vitamin D works within the body is unknown. Scientists don't have an answer. It can be absorbed through sunlight or ingested from food and supplements. A healthy level of vitamin D has been found to help prevent diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases. The theory is that vitamin D helps regulate the genes that impact these diseases. You are able to find vitamin D and calcium in almost all the very same foods. Cheese, oily fish, nuts and milk all have them.

dietOverdoing it with vitamin D

It could be bad to get an excessive amount of vitamin D and calcium, although they are very helpful when it comes to avoiding disease and helping the body. If you get an excessive amount of vitamin D, you could get kidney damage. Also, plaque might build up in the heart with too much. There is too much vitamin D in many supplements. This causes individuals to overdose on the vitamin. Make sure that you are eating a decently balanced diet. This way, your food ought to give you all the vitamin D you need. The amount of vitamin D you are taking in ought to be considered if you’re on a supplement.

dietArticles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/30/vitamin.d.calcium/index.html?npt=NP1

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2010-11-30/vitamin-d-calcium-supplements-may-be-unnecessary.html