Vitamin D
Updated January 4, 2022
Food & Supplements Program
Vitamin D Products Comparison Table
unit conversions: Vits A, D, E, B3
Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin. Hormones act as signaling molecules, which affect how cells work. Vitamin D not only influences bone formation, but immune function, other hormones (including sex and thyroid hormones) and coagulation. The RDA remains at the 1970 value of 400 IU, while most people need between 4,000 and 10,000 IU. Recently the units of vitamin D have been changed from IU’s to mcg. The pdf below shows the conversion. Recent data suggests that the best time to take vitamin D is before bedtime, as some of the activities of sleep can be enhanced by the presence of higher levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D levels should be checked at a minimum of once a year. Primary Care Practitioners should include Vit D levels in annual preventive testing. Levels can be influenced by several factors including: gut function (fat absorption), presence of vitamins A, E and K, presence of toxins including lead (Pb), and other hormone levels.
Best Vitamin D article from Alternative Medicine Review 2005
Related Posts
Vitamin D as an Anti–Thrombotic Agent
Vitamin D and Cancer
Vitamin D and Autoimmune Diseases
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