CPE Quiz: Vitamin D & Chronic Disease Risk

Question 1

The best way to determine vitamin D status is to measure serum levels of which of the following?

c. 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) should NOT be measured because the level is normal or elevated in a vitamin D-deficient state.

Question 2

Farm-raised salmon is one of the best food sources of vitamin D.

b. False. Farm-raised salmon contains only 10-25% of the vitamin D contained in wild salmon. Other food sources include vitamin D-fortified dairy products, orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D, cod liver oil, mackerel and herring.

Question 3

Which of the following groups is at risk for vitamin D deficiency?

e. All of the above. People with dark-pigmented skin or who do not receive regular sun exposure are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Question 4

For which reason are obese people more likely to be deficient in vitamin D?

c. Vitamin D is less available in the body because it becomes trapped in fat cells.

Question 5

The vitamin D in fortified orange juice is as bioavailable as the vitamin D in milk.

a. True. The vitamin D in fortified orange juice is as bioavailable as the vitamin D in milk.

Question 6

Which one of the following chronic diseases has been associated with vitamin D deficiency?

e. All of the above. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with multiple sclerosis, type 1 and 2 diabetes, colon cancer and other chronic health conditions including preeclampsia, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and heart failure.

Question 7

Which of the following conditions has not been associated with vitamin D deficiency?

e. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and osteomalacia.

Question 8

People who live north of Atlanta, Georgia, may need to do which of the following during the winter?

c. People who live north of Atlanta, Georgia, may need a vitamin D supplement because the skin does not produce vitamin D during the winter.

Question 9

Breast milk supplies an infant with enough vitamin D.

b. False. Human breast milk provides little vitamin D—typically, no more than about 25 IU/pint.

Question 10

Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 in foods or supplements are equally effective in raising serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

a. True. Studies show that vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are equally effective in raising serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Question 11

Which of the following is the optimal level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D?

c. 30 to 60 ng/mL is the optimal level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. A level of <20 ng/mL is considered deficient. Vitamin D intoxication occurs at levels >150 ng/mL.

Question 12

According to Dr. Holick, how much vitamin D should children and adults with inadequate sun exposure consume each day for good health?

c. Dr. Holick recommends that people with inadequate sun exposure get at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day.