Are You Getting Enough, Vitamin D That Is?

Are you getting enough, vitamin D that is?
As was posted last night, to get your vitamin D all you have to do is go outside and soak up some ultraviolet light (aka sunshine). Vitamin D is naturally produced in the outer layer of the skin when exposed to sunlight.

RDA of Vitamin D
0 - 18 200IU
19 - 50 200 IU
51-70 400 IU
70+ 600 IU
Pregnant & lactating women 200 IU

Safe dosage
Many doctors & nutritionists feel that you need more vitamin D as you get older. Men & women over the age of 65 should take 700 IU daily.
Do not take more than 1,oo IU of vitamin D supplements daily, it is dangerous. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun your body automatically stops making Vitamin D after you've stored enough, so you can't overdose on yourself. However, the same in not true with supplements. Of all the vitamins this one is the one you need to be most careful with. Large doses can make calcium build up in your blood, which can have serious consequences. Too much vitamin D might increase your risk of heart attack or kidney stones.
Talk to a pediatrician before giving vitamin D supplements to babies or children.

More on Vitamin D to come.