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Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations,and safety.Reinhold Vieth. 

    Author's Abstract: COPYRIGHT 1999 American Society for Clinical Nutrition Inc.

                           For adults, the 5-[micro]g (200 IU) vitamin D recommended dietary allowance may
                           prevent osteomalacia in the absence of sunlight, but more is needed to help prevent
                           osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other benefits of vitamin D
                           supplementation are implicated epidemiologically: prevention of some cancers,
                           osteoarthritis progression, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension. Total-body sun
                           exposure easily provides the equivalent of 250 [micro]g (10000 IU) vitamin D/d,
                           suggesting that this is a physiologic limit. Sailors in US submarines are deprived of
                           environmentally acquired vitamin D equivalent to 20-50 [micro]g (800-2000 IU)/d.
                           The assembled data from many vitamin D supplementation studies reveal a curve for
                           vitamin D dose versus serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] response that is
                           surprisingly flat up to 250 [micro]g (10000 IU) vitamin D/d. To ensure that serum
                           25(OH)D concentrations exceed 100 nmol/L, a total vitamin D supply of 100
                           [micro]g (4000 IU)/d is required. Except in those with conditions causing
                           hypersensitivity, there is no evidence of adverse effects with serum 25(OH)D
                           concentrations [is less than] 140 nmol/L, which require a total vitamin D supply of 250
                           [micro]g (10000 IU)/d to attain. Published cases of vitamin D toxicity with
                           hypercalcemia, for which the 25(OH)D concentration and vitamin D dose are known,
                           all involve intake of [is greater than or equal to] 1000 [micro]g (40000 IU)/d. Because
                           vitamin D is potentially toxic, intake of [is greater than] 25 [micro]g (1000 IU)/d has
                           been avoided even though the weight of evidence shows that the currently accepted,
                           no observed adverse effect limit of 50 [micro]g (2000 IU)/d is too low by at least
                           5-fold. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:842-56.

           The 5 Senses. (how to keep them sharp) Patricia Andersen-Parrado.

            Full Text: COPYRIGHT 2000 Intertec Publishing Corporation, A PRIMEDIA Co. 

                           Sensible strategies to keep them sharp through "the ages" 

                           It is through our senses -- sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch -- that we perceive the
                           world around us. Most of us assume that, as we age, at least some of these senses
                           diminish. However, assumptions are often wrong and this one is no exception. While
                           many older people do suffer from a decline in "sense-performance," there are steps we
                           can take to protect our senses to help them function optimally for all our lives. 

                           Sight 
                           Vision is probably the most coveted of the senses, but years of over-exposure to the
                           sun and less than optimal nutrition can leave our eyes vulnerable to such conditions as
                           age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and cataracts. The prevalence of these
                           diseases increases dramatically after age 60. 

                           ARMD, the loss of clear, central vision, is the leading cause of visual impairment in
                           Americans 60 years of age and older. Cataracts are actually a clouding or
                           "opacification" of the eye lens. 

                           According to the National Eye Institute, animal and observational epidemiologic
                           studies suggest that deficiencies in vitamins C and E, carotenoids and the trace
                           elements zinc and selenium may be associated with the development of the two
                           diseases, especially cataracts. The carotenoid lutein, which is abundant in dark green
                           and orange fruits and vegetables, is especially well known for promoting eye health. 

                           Hearing 
                           In her 1998 book, Age Proof Your Body, Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., says,
                           "Hearing is the most likely of the five senses to be lost with age. Approximately one in
                           three people age 65 and older, and 50 percent of those age 85 and older, report
                           hearing loss ranging from mild to severe." One of the best defenses against hearing loss
                           is to avoid loud noises (especially rock concerts, setting the volume too high on your
                           headset, etc.). As far as nutritional defense against hearing loss, Somer says: optimal
                           intake of vitamin D and calcium show promise in reducing the symptoms of hearing
                           disorders, such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and low intake of vitamin B12 and zinc
                           may contribute to the progression of tinnitus and hearing loss. ...........
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