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Vitamin D recommendations may not reflect different nutritional needs

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood testing to measure vitamin D levels is important because many experts say that even if a person consumes the recommended amount of the nutrient every day they may still have insufficient levels in their blood. This is because dietary recommendations may not reflect what the body truly needs.

The most common vitamin D recommendation was written by the Institute of Medicine in 2010. It recommends that most people consume 600 international units of the nutrient every day. However, Dr. Neil Binkley, a geriatrician and researcher at the University of Wisconsin, told Ob.Gyn. News Digital Network that this recommendation makes no sense.

He pointed out that the Institute of Medicine guidelines would have a 1-year-old consuming as much vitamin D as a 70-year-old. This makes it virtually the only nutrient that has the same intake recommendations regardless of a person's age.

This means that simply consuming 600 international units of vitamin D may not lead to sufficient blood levels, depending on a person's age and specific nutritional requirements. This may account for why about one-third of adults have insufficient levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood testing is the only way to ensure adequate levels.