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Vitamin D endocrine physiology.

Robert P Heaney¹

¹Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

|March 20, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Optimal vitamin D(3) levels require 3600-4200 IU daily for calcium absorption and bone health. Higher intakes, up to 10,000 IU, are safe and support endocrine function.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Nutritional Science
Calcium Metabolism

Background:

Maintaining skeletal integrity requires precise calcium absorption.
Vitamin D(3) endocrine physiology plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis.
Obligatory calcium losses necessitate a minimum net absorption of 200 mg/d.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the quantitative aspects of vitamin D(3) endocrine physiology.
To determine the optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations for calcium regulation.
To establish the required vitamin D(3) intake for maintaining adequate calcium absorption.

Main Methods:

Review of quantitative data on vitamin D(3) metabolism and calcium absorption.
Analysis of evidence supporting optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels.
Calculation of total vitamin D(3) input needed to achieve target physiological concentrations.

Main Results:

Optimal regulation of intestinal calcium absorption occurs at serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations greater than 80 nM.
A net calcium absorption of at least 200 mg/d is essential to counteract obligatory losses and protect the skeleton.
Sustaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels above 80 nM requires vitamin D(3) inputs of 3600-4200 IU/d from all sources.
Daily oral vitamin D(3) intakes up to 10,000 IU have been demonstrated to be safe.

Conclusions:

Adequate vitamin D(3) intake is critical for maintaining calcium balance and skeletal health.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels above 80 nM are necessary for optimal calcium absorption regulation.
Recommended daily vitamin D(3) intake ranges from 3600-4200 IU, with higher doses up to 10,000 IU being safe.