Millions of Kids Lack Vitamin D

A new study out of the Children's Hospital in Boston concluded that millions of American children under the age of 11 are not getting enough Vitamin D, thus exposing themselves to many potential health issues.

Dr. Jonathan Mansbach (Children's Hospital Boston) compiled data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to look at vitamin D levels in some 5,000 American children from 2001-2006. More than two-thirds of all children had levels below the normal level of 75 nmol/L, including 80 percent of Hispanic children and 92 percent of non-Hispanic black children.

"If 75 nmol/L or higher is eventually demonstrated to be the healthy normal level of vitamin D, then there is much more vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. than people realize," Mansbach said in a statement. The researchers suggest that all children take vitamin D supplements to boost their Vitamin D to normal levels. Vitamin D assists the body in absorbing calcium and phosphate, leading to stronger bones and teeth. It plays an active role in metabolism and development and is produced in the body when exposed to the sun's UVB rays. Vitamin D can also be found in some foods such as fatty fish, fish oils, milk and egg yolks.

Research has shown that normal Vitamin D levels can aid in the prevention of:

- Osteoporosis
- Other Bone Disorders
- Arthritis
- Abnormalities of the Parathyroid Hormones
- High Blood Pressure
- Cancer
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Diabetes
- Tuberculosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

The Tolerable Upper Level of Intake (UL) for Vitamin D for a one year old and over is 2000 IU per day. Below are the recommended Vitamin D levels as outlined by Health Canada:

- 0-1 year: 200 IU per day
- 2 -50 years: 200 IU per day
- 51-70 years: 400 IU per day
- > 70 years: 600 IU per day