Much Higher Intakes Of Vitamin D Needed To Prevent Disease, Study Finds

U.S. researchers have found that much greater amounts of vitamin D – as much as 4000 to 8000 IU – need to be consumed before blood levels are high enough to prevent breast cancer and other major diseases. The levels of vitamin D intake are significantly higher than scientists once thought would provide protection, but are still considered safe for daily use, the researchers said. The higher levels of vitamin D intake would cut in half the risk of diseases such as breast cancer, colon cancer, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes, the researchers said. The study obtained data from a survey of several thousand volunteers who took vitamin D supplements in dosage ranges from 1000 to 10,000 IU a day.