International Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines
Pludowski P, et al • Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Key Finding
Target 25(OH)D levels of 30-50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L) recommended for general health; higher targets (40-60 ng/mL) for specific conditions.
Key Findings
- 1Target 25(OH)D: 30-50 ng/mL for general population; 40-60 ng/mL for specific conditions
- 2Infants: 400 IU daily; children/adolescents: 600-1000 IU daily
- 3Adults: 1500-2000 IU daily; obese individuals may need 2-3x higher doses
- 4Safe upper limit: 4000 IU/day general; up to 10,000 IU/day under medical supervision
- 5Screen high-risk groups: elderly, obese, dark-skinned, malabsorption conditions
Original title: “Vitamin D supplementation guidelines”
Plain English Summary
This international consensus document provides practical guidelines for vitamin D supplementation across different populations. It recommends screening high-risk groups, defines target levels of 30-50 ng/mL for general health, and provides age-specific and condition-specific dosing recommendations.
In-Depth Analysis
This international consensus provides evidence-based vitamin D supplementation guidelines.
Target Levels
- •General health: 30-50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L)
- •Chronic disease prevention: 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L)
- •Deficiency: < 20 ng/mL (< 50 nmol/L)
- •Severe deficiency: < 10 ng/mL (< 25 nmol/L)
Dosing Recommendations by Age
- •Infants 0-12 months: 400 IU daily
- •Children 1-18 years: 600-1000 IU daily
- •Adults 19-65 years: 1500-2000 IU daily
- •Adults > 65 years: 1500-2000 IU daily
- •Pregnant/lactating: 1500-2000 IU daily
Special Populations
- •Obese individuals: 2-3x higher doses needed
- •Malabsorption: May require higher doses or parenteral administration
- •Chronic kidney disease: Active vitamin D metabolites may be needed
Safety
- •Safe upper limit: 4000 IU/day (general population)
- •Up to 10,000 IU/day under medical supervision with monitoring
Paradigm Relevance
How this study applies to different clinical perspectives:
Standard Medical
RelevantConventional clinical guidelines used by most doctors
Research Consensus
RelevantCurrent scientific understanding, often ahead of guidelines
Metabolic Optimization
RelevantProactive targets for optimal health, not just disease absence
Study Details
- Type
- Clinical Guideline
Related Biomarkers
Calculate & Evaluate on Metabolicum
Original Source
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a permanent link to this publication. Unlike website URLs that can change, a DOI always resolves to the correct source.
Related Studies
Health Effects of Vitamin D supplementation: Lessons Learned from Randomized Controlled Trials and Mendelian Randomization Studies
Bouillon R, et al • J Bone Miner Res • 2023
Cancer mortality: daily dosing RR 0.88 (95% CI 0.78-0.98, 10 trials); bolus RR 1.07 (ineffective); VITAL: normal BMI cancer OR 0.76; shift focus to deficient individuals
Vitamin D supplementation and total cancer incidence and mortality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Keum N, et al • Annals of Oncology • 2019
Cancer mortality: 13% reduction (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.96, p=0.005); Cancer incidence: no effect (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93-1.03, p=0.42)
Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data
Martineau AR, et al • BMJ • 2017
Overall ARTI reduction OR 0.88 (95% CI 0.81-0.96); daily/weekly dosing OR 0.81; profound deficiency (<25 nmol/L) + daily dosing OR 0.30 (NNT 4)