Superhero vitamins were dealt a super-setback in fall 2012, when the Federal Trade Commission said manufacturers of Spider-Man and other character-branded supplements made bogus claims about what the pills could do for you.
We know there’s a lot of iffy info about vitamins out there, but we’re certain vitamin D-3 supplements should be an essential part of your health plan. Unfortunately, almost no one gets enough sunshine-made vitamin D-3 for it to do its job, and it’s got a big job: reduce inflammation, regulate cell growth and protect your immune and neuromuscular systems. And its potential benefits don’t stop there.
- Women 65-plus who get enough D-3 have less risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Pregnant moms with healthy blood levels of D-3 may avoid having underweight babies — and the moms themselves are at lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life.
- Plus, enough D-3 seems to cut tooth decay in half and reduce the risk of bladder cancer and type 1 diabetes.
So what do you need to get all this D-3 power? The Endocrine Society says you should have a “D” blood level of 30 nmol/L; new Institute of Medicine recommendations say 20. But we say 50 to 80 is good. So get a blood test to see what your level is. And take daily supplements to help you maintain a healthy level. We recommend taking 1,000 IU of D-3 a day; 1,200 IU if you’re over 60.
The You Docs — Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show” and Mike Roizen of Cleveland Clinic — are authors of “YOU: Losing Weight.” To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com. A King Features syndicate.
