Private MD News

Institute of Medicine ups vitamin D recommendations

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released a new set of recommendation for calcium and vitamin D intake. Individuals may want to consider a vitamin D test to make sure that they are getting the appropriate levels of the nutrient.

The group announced that it is elevating its recommendations for the consumption of both nutrients. The move is not terribly surprising given recent findings, which have connected vitamin D to a host of health benefits.

Studies have shown that vitamin D may ward off heart attacks and strokes, support healthy mood and boost the immune system. The announcement to increase recommended intake levels could help more individuals reap these benefits.

"The bottom-line message from the IOM's highly technical report is that most people can meet these new recommendations through food sources, not supplements," said Lori Hoolihan, a research specialist with Dairy Council of California.

However, the report did caution against taking extremely high doses of the nutrients. Evidence has shown that overdosing on vitamin D in particular may cause some health complications.