Vitamin D supplementation in northern native communities

Abstract

Review of the present situation suggests that the previously recommended intakes are effective and safe. Ingestion of too much vitamin D can result in vitamin D intoxication; however, recent studies suggest that the dose of vitamin D needed to cause intoxication is much higher than previously suspected. Thus, in practice, the administration of vitamin D should strike a balance between these two positions. For northern aboriginal infants as well as for pregnant and lactating mothers, the administration of 800 IU/day, a dosage between an AI of 200 IU/day and a conservative UL of 1000 IU/day appears to be both reasonable and safe, especially during the winter months when vitamin D production in the skin is low. Because osteoporosis in adults may have its origins in infancy and childhood, attention needs to be paid to both calcium and vitamin D intake in these age groups. There is conflicting evidence regarding the safety of high dose pulse vitamin D therapy, especially with intermittent doses of more than 100,000 IU. Therefore, pulse therapy with vitamin D should not be considered routinely until further studies in children confirm effectiveness and especially, safety.