More on Vitamin D insufficiency

Yet another report on Vitamin D has emerged and the news is similar to what we already know or have guessed: average blood levels of vitamin D appear to have decreased in the United States between 1994 and 2004.  While health practitioners previously believed the major health problems associated with vitamin D deficiency were rickets in children and reduced bone mineral content in adults, recently, insufficient vitamin D levels have been associated with diseases such as cancer, heart disease, infection and even ASD.  Studies have suggested that levels of 30 nanograms per milliliter to 40 nanograms per milliliter (I suspect even higher levels may be needed) for optimum health.  As a result, the current recommendations for vitamin D dosing are inadequate to address the growing epidemic of D insufficiency.  The recent report recommends that an increased intake of vitamin D, such as 1,000 international units per day or more plus and judicious sun exposure would improve vitamin D status and likely improve the overall health of the population...