Vitamin D Research

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Best Science on Vitamin D

While all knowledge gained through the process of scientific research is valuable (provided it is not based on faulty science), there will always be that which is considered to be of particular noteworthiness. These are the discoveries and "breakthroughs" which almost always bring about great advances in the understanding and application of their particular field. The same is true for research in the field of nutrition and, of course, vitamin D.

This page serves as a place to give recognition to the outstanding science that has played a significant role in broadening humanity's understanding of vitamin D and its importance in the maintenance of health and of life. (List is not all-inclusive.)

Research Abstracts

• Robert P Heaney, et al.Calcium Absorption Varies within the Reference Range for Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D.Heaney and colleagues discover that patients with 25(OH)D levels of 86 nmol/L (34 ng/mL) absorbed 65% more calcium than subjects with 25(OH)D levels of 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL). This study leaves us wondering if the reason Americans need 1500 mg a day of calcium is because most of us are vitamin D deficient.
• Robert P Heaney, Michael F Holick, et al.Human serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol.Heaney and colleagues discover that healthy humans use between 3000–5000 IU of vitamin D a day (if they can get it). This is approximately 10 times more than what the Food and Nutrition Board says is adequate intake.

Reviews

• Michael F HolickHigh Prevalence of Vitamin D Inadequacy and Implications for Health.The purposes of this article are to examine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and to review the potential implications for skeletal and extraskeletal health.
• Armin ZittermannVitamin D in preventive medicine.Are we ignoring the evidence? Zittermann reviews the numerous illnesses associated with vitamin D deficiency and the evidence those illnesses are helped by vitamin D.
• Michael F HolickVitamin D: A Millenium perspective.Holick reviews the biology of vitamin D and the extent of the problem of vitamin D deficiency.
• Reinhold ViethVitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety.Vieth started it all with this masterful paper on the unwarranted fear (bordering on hysteria) of vitamin D toxicity.