Common Questions
How much vitamin D should my patient take?
The most recent and authoritative guidelines on dietary calcium requirements come from the 1997 Institute of Medicine National Academy of Science, Food and Nutrition Board. However, most experts feel that these recommendations are too low and that adults need about 1,000 IU a day. New guidelines are expected to be published in 2010.
| Population Group | Daily |
|---|---|
| Birth to age 50 | 200 IU |
| Age 51 to 70 | 400 IU |
| Age 70 and over | 600 IU |
| Homebound/institutionalized elderly | 800 IU |
*In the absence of adequate sunlight.
A complete table of vitamin D requirements can be found here.