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Vitamin D in Australia : issues and recommendations

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journal contribution
posted on 2004-03-01, 00:00 authored by Caryl NowsonCaryl Nowson, T Diamond, Julie PascoJulie Pasco, R Mason, P Sambrook, J Eisman
BACKGROUND A significant number of Australians and people from specific groups within the community are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. It is no longer acceptable to assume that all people in Australia receive adequate vitamin D from casual exposure to sunlight.

OBJECTIVE This article provides information on causes, consequences, treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in Australia.

DISCUSSION People at high risk of vitamin D deficiency include the elderly, those with skin conditions where avoidance of sunlight is required, dark skinned people (particularly women during pregnancy or if veiled) and patients with malabsorption, eg. coeliac disease. For most people, deficiency can be prevented by 5–15 minutes exposure of face and upper limbs to sunlight 4–6 times per week. If this is not possible then a vitamin D supplement of at least 400 IU* per day is recommended. In cases of established vitamin D deficiency, supplementation with 3000-5000 IU per day for at least 1 month is required to replete body stores. Increased availability of larger dose preparations of cholecalciferol would be a useful therapy in the case of severe deficiencies. * 40 IU (international units) = 1 µg

History

Journal

Australian family physician

Volume

33

Issue

3

Pagination

133 - 138

Publisher

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

Location

Jolimont, Vic

ISSN

0300-8495

Language

eng

Notes

Copyright to Australian Family Physician. Reproduced with permission. Permission to reproduce must be sought from the publisher, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2004, Australian Family Physician

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