Vitamin D: What it says on label may be wrong
PORTLAND, Ore. -- If you’re one of the millions who take Vitamin D supplements in the winter, don’t let the label fool you.
A new study released on Monday shows a wide variety of discrepancies between the potency and what it says on the bottle.
The study, performed at Kaiser Permanente in Portland, examined 55 bottles of over-the-counter Vitamin D supplements from 12 different manufacturers.
“Some manufacturers were more variable than others,” said Dr. Erin LeBlanc, a researcher of Vitamin D dosages. “We also found that even within the same pill bottle you could find a range.”
For instance, one pill was labeled to have 1,000 units of Vitamin D; it actually had 1,460. Another pill labeled to have less -- only 90 units of the vitamin.
Vitamin D is often recommended to Pacific Northwesterners in the winter months, when the days get shorter and sunlight is scant. The vitamin helps strengthen bones and can help with weight loss, sleep and mood.
Pat Cunningham is one of the people who take vitamin supplements because he has osteoporosis.
Presented with the new study, Cunningham was baffled.
“That blows me away,” Cunningham said. “I mean, who can you trust?”
The discrepancy in dosages is also troubling to health experts.
“They’re not getting the amount of Vitamin D that they or their doctor think they need,” LeBlanc said.
So short of testing supplements yourself, how can you make sure you’re getting the dosage on the label? Well, the study found those bottles with the designation, USP, were the most accurate. Manufacturers pay for that extra verification.
The vitamin brands come with the extra verification include Equaline at Albertson’s, Kirkland at Costco and Nature Made, which is sold at many grocery and drug stores.
Safeway’s Calcium Plus Vitamin D has the USP designation, but its regular Vitamin D does not.
I take vitamin D and fish oil capsules.  Since I started taking them, they have accomplished what my doctor wanted them to.  He could have prescribed a expensive prescription, but  goes with over the counter if possible in order to save money.  He always tells me to ask the pharmacist for his opinion of what is best.  So far, so good.  As far as tests go, I have blood tests every six months for a variety of things which are ordered by the doctor.  Of course, I have a great doctor, about forty years old and big enough to thump most anyone if they don't behave.Â
1) Who vetted the lab that did the analyses? Can we trust their accuracy any more than we can trust the manufacturers?
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2) What are the brands that failed the test and where were they made? CHINA, RIGHT?
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3) This bad news shouldn't stop people in Cascadia from taking Vitamin D, which is cheap, safe, and effective against a variety of ailments including some cancers. If you can't get enough direct sunlight, take D.
It's interesting the kaiser decided to do this...they are trying to dig up crud on the vitamin manufacturers (aka their biggest competitors)! Â
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The bottom line:  you pay for what you get.  If its cheap, you have cheap vitamins, if its expensive, you have higher grade stuff.  Take a look at thorne, integrative thereaputics, pure encapsulations, seroyal, and standard process for good vitamin manufacturers.
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Also worth noting: almost all of the kirkland vitamins contain maltodextrin? Â Why is it necessary to add sugar filler crap to the vitamins? Â It shouldn't contain any extra ingredients!
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Also vitamin D is crap if you are not getting vitamin A; you need both for it to work effectively! Â And the only way to get a natural ratio of vitamins A and D is to get fermented cod liver oil...
just go get some sun outside! oh wait
 Since when have pharmaceutical companies ever worried about what's in their products and what's on the label.
Several multi-vitamins are barely above worthless. Ask Gerber about that. Here they are supposed to be making healthy foods for babies and some of their juices turn out to be sugar water and food dye.(Thank you Consumer Reports.) Those are real wholesome for little babies. If the Food and Drug Admin. would do what they are designed to do instead of the upper hierarchy there colluding with the corporations under their purview and stuffing their pockets with "perks" our food and drugs would be what the label says it is. Not to mention safer and healthier.
 Another sub level Cabinet of the U.S. failing in its responsibility.
looks like another Pharma lie for people to purchase a product and get ripped off. and yet they go on stuffing there pockets... Maybe some one needs to short change them.
I have arthritis and another auto immune condition. I take 10,000 iu of Vitamin D per day and it actually keeps my pain level manageable in the winter. This brings my pain level to a very manageable level, I don't even need ibuprofen. If I miss my vitamin D, I am in a world of pain within days.
I have my levels checked regularly, which is very, very important. Your level should not go over certain number, otherwise, you will destroy your kidneys and bones, just for starters. I keep mine at between 75-80 with this dose. Everyone's dose is different, depending on your weight, metabolism, general health, etc.Â
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 @LH Are you looking at trace mineral deficiencies?  This is very important if you have arthritis, it is caused by demineralization.  I would also check out black currant as a way to reduce your arthritis.  I hope you aren't drinking coffee, its inflammatory and it removes minerals from the body!
There's always cod liver oil. A tablespoon will do ya.
When considering vitamin supplements; always consider their physical construction because it impacts their potency. Solid vitamins such as tablets contain binders and glues that hold everything including the vitamin itself together in the shape of the pill. The amount of active ingredient is diminished by the amount of glue's and binders - the inactive ingredients.
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Capsules which are just a container will offer the least amount of inactive ingredients and therefore be most consistent. You should also consider that your body has to process all of the inactive ingredients.
Oh I recommend the Kirkland ones from Costco. They are liquid gel pills.
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Last year my doctor told me that I was "way" deficient in vitamin D. I thought to myself [but I didn't say it], what the Hell do you expect ...., I have Lupus. I have spent my entire life avoiding the sun. (: Sometimes doctors can be a little wacky. (:
I take three 1000 pills a day and it prevents me from destroying the universe in winter. =) Beats prescription meds from the doctor that have so many side effects. I recommend D for any and everyone who gets the blues in winter.Â
Please disclose the list!
If the study is legitimate why not simply list the manufacturers, manufacturer claimed potency, and actual measured potency in the article? I am not a fan of adopting more government regulation but consumers should know what is properly labeled and what isn't.
I wouldn't take any vitamins or OTC medications unless a blood test showed I needed them. IMHO of course. The only vitamin I take is Vitamin B-6 (a 6-pack of Beer) and that works for me! And no, I do NOT drive afterwards! LOLÂ
 @jpk "B-6 (a six pack of Beer)"  I have to say that is hilarious!Â
 @jpk Most doctors won't test you unless you specifically ask to be tested and you have to know what to ask for. We all have to educate ourselves. Your standard blood tests will not show vitamin levels in your blood. Even your iron levels can show up as normal and be very low unless you specifically request a ferritin test (for example).
You are right, of course. But it depends on the level of care, or attention, that your doctor gives you. Mine started out every exam with asking me if I still smoke. That's not the reason I went to him for! Sometimes doctors have an agenda. I no longer see him. Actually, he went on to some other line of business I found out, after making another appointment with my personal provider! Ha! He also never like my sense of humor when we met; generally anyway. A great general practitioner! He probably does folks' tax returns now also. LOL Â
And your Point is??? No links??? No reference points???
 @gbudavid I was kind of wondering what the USP label is... This story seems more like a partially fleshed-out outline for a story.
 @Peregrine Yup I agree Pretty Poor reportage.