
Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
A deficiency of vitamin D can occur when dietary intake of vitamin D is inadequate, when there is limited exposure to sunlight, when the kidney cannot convert vitamin D to its active form, or when someone cannot adequately absorb vitamin D from the gastrointestinal tract 7.
Steroids
Corticosteroid medications are often prescribed to reduce inflammation from a variety of medical problems. These medicines may be essential for a persons medical treatment, but they have potential side effects, including decreased calcium absorption.29,30 There is some evidence that steroids may also impair vitamin D metabolism, further contributing to the loss of bone and development of osteoporosis associated with steroid medications.30 For these reasons, individuals on chronic steroid therapy should consult with their physician or registered dietitian about the need to increase vitamin D intake through diet and/or dietary supplements.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Men
* Ages 19-50: 5 mcg* or 200 IU
* Ages 51-69: 10 mcg* or 400 IU
* Ages 70 +: 15 mcg* or 600 IU
Women
* Ages 19-50: 5 mcg* or 200 IU
* Ages 51-69: 10 mcg* or 400 IU
* Ages 70 +: 15 mcg* or 600 IU
Cod Liver Oil, 1 Tbs. (1,360 IU) [340]
# Salmon, cooked, 31/2 oz (360 IU) [90]
# Mackerel, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (345 IU) [90]
# Sardines, canned in oil, drained,3 1/2 oz (270 IU) [70]
# Eel, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (200 IU) [50]
# Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D fortified, 1 c (98 IU) [25]
# Margarine, fortified, 1 Tbs. (60 IU) [15]
# Cereal grain bars, fortified w/ 10% of the DV, 1 each (50 IU) [10]
# Pudding, 1/2 c prepared from mix and made with vitamin D fortified milk (50 IU) [10]
# Dry cereal, Vit D fortified w/10%* of DV, 3/4 c (40-50 IU) [10]
* Other cereals may be fortified with more or less vitamin D
# Liver, beef, cooked, 3 1/2 oz (30 IU) [8]
# Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is present in the yolk) (25 IU) [6]
website: http://ibdcrohns.about.com/od/relatedconditions/a/fdavitd_4.htm