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Adjust vitamin doses according to age, health?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008

Question from Lydia: Many of us who are dealing with breast cancer are older women, and I've been reading that things like Vitamin D should be taken in higher doses by those of us over 50. Is it advisable to adjust doses for age, as well as health status?: Answers —Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.: Most nutrients requirements do have some adjustment for age and Vitamin D is an area of very active research in cancer. In fact, a scientific meeting to discuss the role of Vitamin D in cancer is being held at the National Institute of Health in early May.; Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H.: Older women have a loss of bone mass about 1 percent per year. You should be having a DEXA scan to monitor your bone mineral density, and if you're taking a hormone therapy, then Vitamin D may be beneficial.; Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D.: The other thing is, depending on where you live in the country, you may be at greater risk. Certainly, people living in the northern states and people with darker pigmentation are at greater risk for inadequate Vitamin D.

On Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Weight Management During and After Breast Cancer Treatment. Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. and Melinda Irwin Ph.D., M.P.H. answered your questions on managing weight during and after breast cancer treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Cyndi Thomson, Ph.D., R.D. is an associate professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona - with joint appointments in medicine and public health.

Melinda Irwin, Ph.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor in the department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale School of Medicine.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

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