How much Vit D Supplementation?
An editorial published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology “speculates about how oncologists should disseminate” information in clinical practice about vitamin D in light of recent research and “laboratory, ecologic, and epidemiologic studies” indicating that “higher levels of vitamin D might lower the risk for colon, breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers.” In the editorial, Pamela J. Goodwin, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, in Toronto, Canada, explained that “the ‘unpredictable relationship between vitamin D intake and blood levels’ makes it difficult to recommend a standard dose for supplementation.” But, “depending on age, current recommendations for vitamin D range from 200 to 600 IU per day. Given that there is sufficient evidence that vitamin D supplementation at these doses is associated with reduced mortality and improved bone health, clinicians should feel comfortable using them as a starting point,” she said.