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Supplementing with vitamin D? What you should know

May 10, 2023 - McMaster University - 2 minutes

In this 2-minute video, Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou discusses how to safely supplement with vitamin D and the risks associated with excess amounts.

What's the bottom line?

Taking 800 to 1,000 international units daily for three months is sufficient for most people to support muscle and bone function.
Greater than 4,000 international units can be associated with high levels of calcium in your blood, cause kidney stones, and there are some signals that it may be linked to cancer.
Consult your primary care provider or pharmacist before starting supplementation with any fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin D.

Learn more about the role vitamin D plays in the function of your body and how to get a healthy daily dose of vitamin D by watching the full-length video.

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Author Details

Anthony Levinson

Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry and neuropsychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.

Author Details

Alexandra Papaioannou

Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou is a Professor of Medicine (Division of Geriatrics) at McMaster University, a Geriatric Medicine Specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences and Executive Director of the GERAS Centre for Aging Research. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Healthy Aging.

References

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Vitamin D and calcium: A dynamic duo in the maintenance of strong bones. (2014 Sep 30). Accessed November 3, 2021. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2014/09/30/vitamin-d-and-calcium-a-dynamic-duo-in-the-maintenance-of-strong-bones
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Vitamin D: A possible ally in the fight against diabetes. (2018 Oct 2). Accessed November 3, 2021. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2018/10/02/vitamin-d-a-possible-ally-in-the-fight-against-diabetes
Health Canada. Vitamin D and Calcium: Updated dietary reference intakes. (2020 Jul 28). Accessed November 3, 2021. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-calcium-updated-dietary-reference-intakes-nutrition.html#a9
Autier P, Mullie P, Macacu A, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on non-skeletal disorders: a systematic review of meta-analyses and randomised trials. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017;5(12):986-1004.
Cosman F, de Beur SJ, LeBoff MS, et al. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2014;25(10):2359-2381.
Dawson-Hughes B, Heaney RP, Holick MF, Lips P, Meunier PJ, Vieth R. Estimates of optimal vitamin D status. Osteoporos Int. 2005;16(7):713-716.
Houghton LA, Vieth R. The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(4):694-697.
Avenell A, Mak JC, O'Connell D. Vitamin D and vitamin D analogues for preventing fractures in post-menopausal women and older men. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(4):CD000227.

Acknowledgements

This work is supported through the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and funds provided by the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.

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