Scientists Recommend 4,000 IU – 8,000 IU of Vitamin D Per Day

There is now wide scientific support¹ for maintaining blood levels of vitamin D between 40 ng/ml – 80 ng/ml, with 60 ng/ml – 80 ng/ml now the gold standard range for cancer prevention.  Surprisingly the researchers found that a supplemental dose of 9,600 IU of vitamin D per day enabled 97% of participants to reach 40 ng/ml – the bottom end of the protective range.

“We found that daily intakes of vitamin D by adults in the range of 4000-8000 IU are needed to maintain blood levels of vitamin D metabolites in the range needed to reduce by about half the risk of several diseases—breast cancer, colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes,” said Cedric Garland, DrPH, professor of family and preventive medicine at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. “I was surprised to find that the intakes required to maintain vitamin D status for disease prevention were so high—much higher than the minimal intake of vitamin D of 400 IU/day that was needed to defeat rickets in the 20th century.”

Interest in larger doses was spurred in December of last year, when a National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine committee identified 4000 IU/day of vitamin D as safe for every day use by adults and children nine years and older, with intakes in the range of 1000-3000 IU/day for infants and children through age eight years old.
20-30 minutes of sun exposure produces 10,000 IU of vitamin D.  In the current study no patient talking 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily came close to the vitamin D toxicity level of 200 ng/ml.

It is quite clear that when vitamin D levels are not maintained in a more optimal range than existing health problems can worsen. It is also now clear that significantly higher vitamin D intake may be required to keep vitamin D in a health-protective range.

Vitamin D is a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory

We have known for some time that vitamin D is needed for optimal immune performance, whether combating pain or fighting the flu.  It is well established that vitamin D is the single most important substance in your body for something called immune system tolerance, which means “how hot can your frying pan get before there are major overheating problems?”  Such a concept is highly relevant to fighting infection (too hot means death or severe infection) as well as pain (especially autoimmune pain).

One new study evaluated the vitamin D status and pain levels in 2,070 adults over age 65.  Of these adults, 53 percent had moderate to severe pain, and all were linked to poor vitamin D status, a relationship that held true when other variables were taken into account.

Another new study documents, for the first time, precise mechanisms by which vitamin D lowers inflammation.  The researchers show a new receptor for vitamin D on DNA.  When vitamin D lands on this receptor then core gene signaling takes place that reduces inflammation.  This is a powerful anti-inflammatory mechanism of the most fundamental nature.  If a person is lacking vitamin D then this receptor cannot possibly be activated in an optimal way, placing that person at higher risk for magnified inflammation from any health issue.

This places vitamin D on par with DHA as potent regulators of inflammation at the most fundamental levels of human health.  Since both nutrients are woefully lacking in Americans, especially in the winter months, you would think public health officials would be all over this news.  Unfortunately, the FDA hates vitamins and can’t bear to tell the public something good to do, especially if it might curtail the sales of dangerous drugs with many side effects.

People battling ongoing pain should boost their vitamin D intake and see if it helps.  Blood levels should be in the middle to high middle of normal range, not just barely above the bottom end of normal or out of range on the low side.

Increasing Vitamin D Levels Will Likely Extend Lifespan

 

Current blood tests for vitamin D put the bottom of the normal range at 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L). A new epidemiological study¹ predicts that raising this bottom-of-normal score to 44 ng/mL (110 nmol/L) would reduce all-cause mortality around the world by 7.6 percent for African females, 17.3 percent for European females, and respectively, almost as much for men. And most notably, specific vitamin D-sensitive, disease-related mortality would drop by 20 percent.

It is odd that the FDA is doing everything in its power to deny health claims for vitamin D, blocking consumers from the awareness that one simple and inexpensive vitamin could have a profound impact on their health. It is about time Americans become fed up with the FDA’s routine suppression of First Amendment rights concerning dietary supplements, while highly toxic and dangerous medications are allowed to so pervasively advertise on TV. Not only is the widespread advertising of such medications allowed, it is even funded by taxpayers’ dollars, footing the bill for Big Pharma drug sales.

Raising your blood levels of vitamin D to at least 44 ng/mL (110 nmol/L) requires regular sunshine exposure and/or vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D supplementation in the winter months in North America is mandatory. Doses need to be significantly higher than the Stone Age recommendation of 400 IU per day. Most will need doses ten times that amount, which has recently been proven safe and effective in substantial human studies.

Reaching this vitamin D level will reduce your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple types of cancer, and life-threatening respiratory infections. This is a public health no-brainer—the only ones refusing to recognize this are the ruling-class “public health” officials who don’t want that kind of health benefit for virtually no cost.

There is a battle going on for the hearts and minds—and most importantly, health—of the American public. On one side are dietary supplements that naturally empower people to be healthier and live longer. On the other side are Big Pharma, the FDA, and Senator Durbin, who want you to have disease faster so that you endlessly need Big Pharma drugs.

Dietary supplements are now under serious attack by Big Pharma and its crony allies. You must take action today to preserve your access to many dietary supplements. Refer to my article, Senator Durbin & the FDA Viciously Attack Dietary Supplements, for more information on steps you should take today. Your help is needed now more than ever.

Tags: anti-inflammatory, cancer, dosage, how much, Pain, vitamin d