Vitamin D Guidelines, Pills, Liquids
It is estimated that if we as a nation spent $6 billion on getting ourselves to proper levels of vitamin D, we would save ourselves $600 billion and, more importantly, hundreds of thousands of lives. You certainly can't get that rate of return on the stock market.
Guidelines
Dr. James Dowd has a guideline of 25 IUs daily for each pound of weight, 11 IUs for each kilogram of weight. Remember this is only a guideline and may well require adjustment up or down for individual circumstances.
Also know that the only way to know your vitamin D levels is to have your doctor run a blood test. Some doctors are now routinely running that test on patients because they realize its importance.
The best form of vitamin D supplementation is vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol. The other form is now rarely seen.
Though there is some advantage to taking D daily; yet for convenience and to insure compliance, larger quantities can be taken less often. For instance, a woman weighing one hundred pounds might want to average 2500 IUs daily. She could take 5000 IUs every other day or - in unusual circumstances such as extended travel -- 50000 IUs every ten days.
As with all nutritional substances, consulting a healthcare professional about dosage is wise. This goes double for pregnant women and children. However health professionals who stick with government recommendations will vastly underestimate the need for vitamin D as established by scientific research and clinical experience.
There are many, many companies putting out vitamin D products; we have selected a few representative ones with good reputations.
Vitamin D Pills
Product Name: Bio-Tech Pharmacal
-Small and large bottles with capsules in 1,000 IU, 5,000 IU, 50,000 IU varieties.
-Pharmaceutical-grade facility using FDA standards "specializing in high quality hypoallergenic products, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals."
-Their vitamin D products are being used in current research studies. Toll free number: (800) 345-1199
Products: Solar D Gems 2000 IU and 4,000 IU
-These products contain 115 mg. doses of omega-3 oil.
-Omega-3 oil is believed to help the body make better use of vitamin D.
-2000 and 4000 IU pills reflect the trend toward higher doses.
-Respected, family-owned company in business for over 40 years.
Toll free number: (888) 234-5656
Products: D3ZO and Formula CS
-D3ZO is a high-dose vitamin D product with zinc orotate, a balancing nutrient.
- Formula CS Plus goes beyond the Creighton Study formula which looked at osteoporosis and cancer.
-Company was founded in 1992 "to bring cutting-edge biologics to people with life-threatening diseases."
Toll free number: (888) 433-5266
Product: 30 Minutes of Sunshine
-High dose 5000 IU of vitamin D
-Product also has magnesium, rice bran ferulate, and vitamin B6; the magnesium helps balance the calcium levels in American diets while the ferulate and B6 help the body use D more effectively.
-Company distributes a variety of nutritional products from leading companies as well as ones of their own design such as this vitamin D product and Gall Bladder Support.
Toll Free Number: (800) 247-5731
Products include: Vitamin D-3 1000 IU and 2000 IU, Vitamin D-3 & K-2
-One of the largest supplement companies with broad selection and competitive prices.
-Vitamin D-3 & K-2 product is 1000 IU of D and 45 micrograms of vitamin K2. Vitamin K is increasingly appreciated for its role in bone and circulatory health. Specifically vitamin K2 helps calcium go into your bones instead of clogging up your blood vessels.
-Recently presented with presidential award for contributions to the increase of US exports.
Toll free number: (888) 669-3663
Vitamin D Liquids
Product: Vitamin D3 Liquid
-Over 800 doses of 1,000 IU per 1 oz. bottle.
-Also have 1,000 IU and 5,000 IU capsules.
-Company was founded to "create the highest quality hypoallergenic supplements."
-Consumers can request these products through their physicians or health care professionals.
-Toll free phone for health professionals only: (800) 753-2277
Product Names: Bio-D-Mulsion, Bio-D-Mulsion Forte
-Bio-D-Mulsion is a one fluid ounce bottle with 400 IU per drop.
-Bio-D-Mulsion Forte contains one fluid ounce with 2000 IU per drop.
-750 servings per bottle.
-Emulsion form is believed to help absorption.
-Products are available through health care practitioners.
-Toll free phone for health professionals only: (800) 231-5777
LifeTime/Nutritional Specialties, Inc.
Product: Liquid D3
-Berry-flavored product recommended by itself or in smoothies or protein shakes.
-16 oz. bottle contains 32 servings of one tablespoon size, 1000 IU of D each. For a child weighing 25 pounds, two teaspoons fit Dr. Dowd's guideline.
-Company was founded in 1988.
-They market to retail health food stores and are also available online.
-Toll free customer service: (800) 333-6168