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Call For Increase In Vitamin D

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@tampatrib.com

Published: March 7, 2009

The newest star of the nutritional world is clearly vitamin D.

Most people don't get enough of this wonder nutrient and increase their risk of several diseases by being deficient.

Recently, major medical groups have called for policy changes regarding vitamin D, including an increase in the current recommended daily allowance and new testing guidelines to look for deficiencies. Here's an update:

•A group of researchers at the University of California recommended that the daily intake of vitamin D for adults be revised by the government to 2,000 international units a day.

The current recommendation is 200 IU for people up to age 50, 400 IU for people 51 to 70 and 600 IU for people 70 and older.

•An article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests screening for vitamin D deficiency and treatment in people with cardiovascular disease.

•In October, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a recommendation that the amount of vitamin D for infants, children and adolescents should be doubled to 400 IU a day.

Studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and some types of cancer.

Los Angeles Times

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