Vitamin D: criteria for safety and efficacy

Nutr Rev. 2008 Oct;66(10 Suppl 2):S178-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2008.00102.x.

Abstract

The functional status indicator for vitamin D, for both safety and efficacy, is serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Efficacy for several health endpoints requires levels of 80 nmol/L or higher. Toxicity occurs at levels of 500 nmol/L or higher. The input needed for efficacy, in addition to typical food and cutaneous inputs, will usually be 1000-2000 IU/day of supplemental cholecalciferol. Toxicity is associated only with excessive supplemental intake (usually well above 20,000 IU/day).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / administration & dosage
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Supplements / adverse effects
  • Dietary Supplements / statistics & numerical data
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate / physiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Safety
  • Toxicology
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / adverse effects
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D