Vitamin D Requirements
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its new Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin D. These recommendations are based on high quality scientific evidence and were established in order to promote good bone health for most of us.
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for vitamin D1
| Age group | Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) | Recommanded Dietary Allowance (RDA) | Upper Level Intake (UL) |
| 0 to 6 month | * | * | 1000 IU or 25 µg |
| 6 to 12 month | * | * | 1500 IU or 37,5 µg |
| 1 to 3 years | 400 IU or 10 µg | 600 IU or 15 µg | 2500 IU or 62,5 µg |
| 4 to 8 years | 400 IU or 10 µg | 600 IU or 15 µg | 3000 IU or 75 µg |
| 9 to 70 years | 400 IU or 10 µg | 600 IU or 15 µg | 4000 IU or 100 µg |
| Pregnant or lactating women | 400 IU or 10 µg | 600 IU or 15 µg | 4000 IU or 100 µg |
| 71 years and older | 400 IU or 10 µg | 800 IU or 20 µg | 4000 IU or 100 µg |
* Adequate intake for vitamin D is 400 IU/day for infants from 0 to 12 month
These recommendations do not differentiate between the 2 forms of vitamin D supplements: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).2,3
Learn more about ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol ›››
DRIs for vitamin D were set to maintain blood level of 25(OH)D above 20 ng/mL, thereby promoting good bone health for practically all individuals1. Several studies have also shown other functions for vitamin D beyond promoting bone health.4-6
References
- Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2011.
- Armas LG et al. Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:5387-5391.
- Houghton LA and Vieth R. The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:694-697.
- Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-281.
- Bischoff-Ferrari H et al. Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:18-28.
- Heaney, RP. The case for improving vitamin D status. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2007;103:635-641.
Keywords: vitamin D, Institute of Medicine, recommendations
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