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General description	Liposoluble vitamin important in calcium metabolism.
Found	- cod liver oil - egg yolks - margarine and cereals are often fortified with vitamin D
Anti-aging role	- apsortion of calcium from the intestine - utilization of calcium and phosphorus in the bones - proper functionin of the thyroid and pituitary glands - improve psoriasis - cell membrane fluidity - protect from multiple sclerosis, autoimmune arthritis and diabetes type 1 - protect against breast, colon and prostate cancer - protect against heart disease
Deficiency symptoms	- osteomalacia in adults - rickets in children - irritability, restlessness, fitful sleeping, frequent crying - deleyed eruption of teeth - soft and yielding skull
Therapeutic doses	400 - 800 IU from fish liver oil RDA for men - 200 IU RDA for women: 19 - 40 year - 400 IU 41 - 70 year - 600 IU European RDA: 5 mcg Pregnant and nursing women max. 800 IU / day
Maximum safe level	10 mcg - long term usage 50 mcg - short term usage
Side effects	Doses greater than 1000 IU: high blood presure, premature hardening of the arteries, detoriation of bones, calcium build up in muscles and soft tissues, kidney damage.
Interactions	- antacides containing magnesium - thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorthiazide)

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