It’s important to note that the recommended daily dose of vitamin D varies according to age group, since children and adults aged up to 70 years are advised to consume 600 IU of the vitamin daily, while seniors over 70 years of age should stick to 400 IU. It is also highly recommended to have your vitamin D blood levels checked regularly, ideally on a yearly basis, and to consult a medical professional before starting to take any supplements to adjust your levels.
Given the high number of studies surrounding vitamin D and its significant effects on the body, it is understandable that some of these studies still argue the efficacy and health benefits that the vitamin actually has. One of the studies that was published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found no connection between the use of vitamin D supplements and a reduced risk for bone fractures, cancer, heart attack, heart disease or stroke.
Regardless of the individual study results, all researchers and doctors recommend a healthy and active lifestyle, and if we are active enough then we are very likely to get the necessary amount of sunshine for our bodies to naturally produce the vitamin D it needs. Then there is no need to rely on supplements to adjust vitamin levels. Nonetheless, if you simply cannot get the necessary amount of sunshine, you can take vitamin D supplements for preventive purposes as long as you are careful to ensure that your blood levels are just below 200 nanograms per milliliter, as Professor Cedric F. Garland from the University of California suggests.
