Vitamin D Doses Fail to Match the Labels: Study

A latest study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine claims that the Vitamin D supplement potency varies widely and the amount of vitamin D in the supplements does not match the listed label.

According to the study released by Kaiser Permanente, vitamin D in the supplements varied from as little as 9 percent to 146 percent of the amount listed on the labels. Apart from this,  they also saw a variation in the pills from the same bottle. An analysis was conducted on 55 products from 12 manufacturers.

"We were surprised by the variation in potency among these vitamin D pills," Erin S. LeBlanc, MD, MPH, lead author and investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Ore. said in a press statement.

New safety guidelines are being considered for some supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Outbreak of flu is so common and the only way to fight it is by improving the intake of vitamin D. It is considered an immune system regulator. Vitamin D reduces the risk of developing multiple sclerosis and cancer. It helps to maintain body weight.

This study generates worry for those who have low levels of vitamin D in their body. And if they are taking Vitamin D supplements they could be prone to several health risks.

The consumers should look for the USP label. In this study, Dr LeBlanc added one supplement from a USP verified manufacturer in their sample. They observed that the vitamin D in these pills were accurate when compared to other bottles.

"The USP verification mark may give consumers some reassurance that the amount of vitamin D in those pills is close to the amount listed on the label," said Dr. LeBlanc.