A study conducted by the U.S. and Canadian governments found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation are not necessary for most people and may even be harmful for some. Although vitamin D and calcium supplementation are essential for bone health, a committee of experts from the Institute of Medicine found that most North American residents already consume enough vitamin D and calcium through their daily diets, including the intake of fortified foods and sun exposure. The team reviewed more than 1,000 studies and reviews to reach its conclusion. Their report claims that laboratories that test for vitamin D may be overestimating the number of people with vitamin D deficiency because their tests are not based on rigorous scientific studies. Our conclusions may surprise some people, but we found no conclusive evidence to support that consuming more calcium or vitamin D keeps people away from chronic disease,” Catherine Ross, who chairs the committee and is a professor of nutrition at Penn State University, said in a news release. The report was posted today on the Web site of the Washington-based Institute of Medicine, a nonprofit organization that advises U.S. policymakers and the public. The committee also found that while people can get enough calcium through their diet, girls between the ages of 9 and 18 are likely to benefit from consuming calcium supplements. On the other hand, additional calcium intake by menopausal women may lead to excess calcium in the body, increasing the risk of kidney stones. The authors of the report also claim that the public is already confused about how much vitamin D is actually needed. Fortified foods According to the Mayo Clinic website, some researchers have questioned whether the current level of fortification of foods is sufficient to meet people’s needs. According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended intake for adults between the ages of 19 and 70 is 600 IU, and 800 IU for ages 71 and older. The NIH reports that almost all milk in the U.S. is fortified with 400 IU of vitamin D per pint. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements website, vitamin D is also added to certain breakfast cereals, orange juice, cheese, margarine and soy beverages. The report also states that even though diets may not provide the level of vitamin D needed by most people, light is sufficient to make up for this deficiency (diet and light are complementary). Patients with digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease may also have inadequate intakes unless they actively ingest it.