Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption and is essential for a strong skeletal structure. Thus, health organizations usually describe a vitamin D deficiency as a condition that can cause bone problems. But in a 2008 article for TheHuffingtonPost.com, writer Lindsey Tanner describes how scientists now believe that a vitamin D deficiency may also be fatal. Despite this information, do not supplement with vitamin D unless your doctor determines it can benefit you.
Scientific Finding
Dr. Harald Dobnig of the Medical University of Graz in Austria and his research team followed 3,258 individuals who had heart disease for eight years. As part of the study, participants had their blood tested weekly to determine how much vitamin D was in the bloodstream. At the end of the investigation, the scientists observed that those with the lowest level of vitamin D were twice more likely to die than the participants who had the highest concentration of the nutrient. Although the D-deficient group was likely to die of any cause, the researchers noticed that a heart problem was the most probable reason. In fact, 737 people had died by the end of eight years. Of those, 463 individuals passed away due to cardiac issues. A Harvard University study also linked vitamin D deficiency to heart attacks.
Vitamin D Sources
Not many foods are natural sources of vitamin D -- maybe nature knows you can get all you need by exposing your skin to the sun two or three times weekly for 10 to 15 minutes. Fatty fish such as sardines and salmon provide the nutrient. So do egg yolks. Manufacturers also enrich some of their products, including milk, yogurt and cereal, with vitamin D.
Recommended Intake
Vitamin D dosages are usually presented in international units -- IU. The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that children from birth to 1 year get 400 IU of vitamin D daily. From 1 year to 70 years of age, a person's daily intake should be 600 IU. Older individuals require 800 IU of vitamin D every day.
Caution
It has long been known that too much vitamin D can be fatal. Since the nutrient facilitates calcium absorption, when your blood has high levels of vitamin D, it also tends to have a large concentration of calcium. The excess mineral eventually crystallizes, hardening your heart and other organs, killing you. Do not use the findings of the Austrian researchers as a reason to load up on vitamin D. You do not need more of it; you just need enough to stay healthy. If you have concerns about your supply of vitamin D, consult your doctor for guidance.
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