Add LuckyBlog Rss
John Cannell, a renowned researcher and vitamin D advocate, shares his interesting observation on where we are going wrong, in his article “the difference between two normals.” He explains the method by which scientists actually determine the maximum amount of any nutrient that we can safely consume. For example, to calculate how much of vitamin D is safe for children, they take the average levels of this “sunshine vitamin” found in a random group of children, who they consider as “normal.” Human bodies naturally make vitamin D on exposure to sunlight, hence the name “sunshine vitamin.” John Cannell rightfully says that the children of this generation are the “indoor kids.” Instead of playing outside in the sun, they are mostly inside, playing video games. Our children, in all likelihood, are not making enough of the vitamin. That is, they are vitamin D deficient. When scientists take the vitamin levels in these very children to calculate “the normal,” they go wrong — completely!
The years of campaigning, by John Cannell and the other vitamin D proponents, seems to be paying off, finally. Gavin Giovannoni tells us about some movement upwards on the RDA of vitamin D in Europe. According to the article, EFSA’s NDA Panel recently revised the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and the tolerable safe limits (ULs) of Vitamin D, for all age groups.
The new safe limits are 4000 IU per day for everyone aged 11 and above, 2000 IU per day for children of ages 1-10 years, and 1000 I.U for infants aged less than one year. Vitamin D researchers as well as the results of the study carried out by the NDA panel, both support much higher levels as safe; however, keeping “uncertainties” under consideration, the Panel has decided on these levels. Even so, we can be optimistic for a better, healthier future. Finally, Europeans can see the new “ray of sunshine” coming through to them.
