Vitamin D is an important hormone that plays a role in cell regulation and metabolism. In this role it can affect all aspects of cellular metabolism. It is becoming evident from research that the recommended intake for vitamin D may be too low. The traditional recommended intake for vitamin D in the United Kingdom is 400 international units (IU). This amount was based on the amount that was considered adequate to prevent the development of the vitamin D deficiency diseases rickets and osteomalacia. However, this intake of vitamin D was recommended before it was realised that vitamin D is actually a hormone, not a vitamin, and that it has a much greater importance in a much wider range of functions in cells. Current recommendations from research vary anywhere from 1000 IU to 8000 IU per day, or even more for short term use. The best way to determine an individual vitamin D requirement is to have a blood test to assess the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the bioactive marker for vitamin D status.
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