Up to 60% of Americans Deficient in Vitamin D3
According to recent reports on ABC News and Good Morning America, up to 60% of Americans may be deficient in Vitamin D, particularly Vitamin D3.
Why are we deficient? A primary source of Vitamin D is sunlight, and we’re told to stay out of the sun. Likewise, darker-skinned people absorb less Vitamin D from sunlight.
Why is this deficiency an issue? Men and women who don’t get enough vitamin D from their diets or exposure to the sun are at increased risk for muscle weakness and poor physical performance.
How much do we need? The National Academy of Sciences says that for people older than 50, 200 international units (iu) of vitamin D per day is adequate. People between 51 and 70 need 400 iu and people older than 70 need 600 iu. But many experts think that amount is too low, according to ABC News medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson.
Johnson recommends people get 1,000 iu of vitamin D a day. One of the best sources of Vitamin D is the sun. “The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause us to manufacture vitamin D,” Johnson said, “but that’s problematic because we are all told to stay out of the sun and to wear sunscreen, which means less vitamin D.”
Dark-skinned people often don’t get enough vitamin D, because the sun doesn’t penetrate their skin. And the elderly often miss out on vitamin D in their diets, Johnson said.
Can I get too much Vitamin D? Johnson said risks associated with getting too much vitamin D include too much calcium buildup in the blood, which can lead to kidney and bone problems, buildup of calcium in muscles, and heart trouble.
VitaminTesting.com recommends you follow our process to get your Vitamin D level assessed and then, under the guidance of a medical professional, take appropriate supplements to get your vitamin levels in balance.