HEADLINE: VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
ANCHOR LEAD: TOO LITTLE VITAMIN D MAY BE A BIG PROBLEM, ELIZABETH TRACEY REPORTS
Many people don’t get adequate amounts of vitamin D, a recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded, and this is especially concerning as vitamin D seems to help prevent cancer. Michelle Bellantoni, a geriatrician at Johns Hopkins, says the problem is especially acute among older folks.
BELLANTONI: We’re seeing vitamin D deficiency in even healthy older adults because people are avoiding the sunlight to prevent skin cancer. Unfortunately vitamin D is not found in our usual diet and without that skin metabolism we are seeing deficiency. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is increased to 800 units for our older adults. The average multiple vitamin has only 400 units so we are seeing deficiency in people who are taking a multiple vitamin every day. :29
Bellantoni says some supplements do have the recommended dose but may need to be taken twice a day. I’m Elizabeth Tracey reporting.
