Do the elderly have increased vitamin D needs?
Older people often have low vitamin D levels because many avoid vitamin D-rich foods such as milk, eggs and liver and, as the body ages, the ability to produce vitamin D decreases. Because sunshine is essential to this process, elderly people who do not spend enough time in sunlight or use heavy sunscreens may have inadequate vitamin D levelsA supplement containing the approximate DRI or RNI of vitamin D would be beneficial in this case. Because vitamin D is toxic in high amounts, 400 IU/day should not be exceeded.
