|
|
|
|
|
|
Vitamin D
|
|
|
|
      |
|
|
Common Questions
|
| |
1. Is fortifying milk and cereals with vitamin D a good practice?
2. Can I get my vitamin D from yogurt and cheese?
3. Are there other uses for vitamin D?
4. Is vitamin D a necessary component of calcium supplements?
1. Is fortifying milk and cereals with vitamin D a good practice?
Yes. The amount of vitamin D produced by the body may be insufficient, especially when there is limited exposure to sunlight (winter, places with overcast and cloudy weather). Since dietary vitamin D is found naturally only in a few foods, such as cod liver oil, dietary intake would not be sufficient for most people. However, in the United States vitamin D is routinely added to milk, fortified cereals, and fruit juices to ensure adequate dietary availability. Fortification has been a real success story in the United States, drastically reducing the rate of juvenile rickets and making it a relatively rare occurrence.
2. Can I get my vitamin D from yogurt and cheese?
Maybe. Although all milk is fortified, many dairy products are not. Since there is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D, you will not find it listed on most food labels.
3. Are there other uses for vitamin D?
Yes, there is a topical form of vitamin D cream that is used to treat psoriasis. Research is being done in other areas, including the potential use of vitamin D to help control autoimmune conditions.
4. Is vitamin D a necessary component of calcium supplements?
Since absorption of calcium is dependent on vitamin D, many manufacturers of calcium supplements add vitamin D to assure optimal calcium uptake. If you have adequate amounts of vitamin D from other sources the additional vitamin D is not necessary. The amount of vitamin D in these tablets is not likely to lead to excess vitamin D or be harmful either.
|
|
|
This article was last reviewed on
December 13, 2006
.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
