disorders of nutrition
Vitamin D Deficiency
Prevention ofVitamin DDeficiency
Many people need to takevitamin Dsupplements. Getting enough exposure to sunlight may be difficult, especially because the skin also needs to be protected from sun damage. Natural foods rarely contains enoughvitamin Dto compensate for lack of sunlight. Vitamin Dsupplements are particularly important for people who are at risk (such as people who are older, housebound, or living in long-term care facilities). To prevent deficiency, older people should usually take 20 micrograms [800 units] ofvitamin Ddaily in supplements. Higher doses are rarely needed. Commercially available liquid milk (but not cheese or yogurt) is fortified withvitamin Din the United States and Canada. Many other countries do not fortify milk withvitamin D. Breakfast cereals may also be fortified. In breastfed infants, startingvitamin Dsupplements at birth is particularly important because breast milk contains littlevitamin D. Supplements are given until infants are 6 months old, when they begin to eat a more varied diet. For formula-fed infants, commercial infant formulas contain enoughvitamin D. 