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- fat-soluble steriod derived from cholesterol.
- Enhances bone mineralization, enables calcium absorption in the intestine, facilitates muscle strength.
- Occurs in two forms D3(animal) and D2(vegetable); D3 may have greater activity.
- Produced in the skin during direct sunlight exposure or absorbed from dietary intake.
- Causasions need 15 minutes of direct bright sunlight exposure to hands and face per day. Longer for dark skinned individuals. Sunscreen limits Vit. D production.
- Measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25){OH}D. <20ng/ml is deficient. Orthopaedic patients should be >30ng/ml.
- Only natural dietary sources are salmon, mackerel, sardines and other oily fish.
- Daily Recommended intake: 400-800 IU in individuals who lack adequate sunlight exposure.
- Consider assuming orthopaedic patients are deficient and supplement with 2,000units per day. (Lane JM, AAOS Now May 2015).
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