From the Research
The percent of Daily Value (%DV) on nutrition labels is a crucial piece of information that helps consumers understand how much a serving of food contributes to their recommended daily nutrient intake, based on a 2,000-calorie diet, as established by the Daily Values (DVs) used for nutrition labeling 1. This information is essential for making informed food choices, balancing diet throughout the day, comparing similar products, and managing specific nutrient needs.
- Generally, 5% DV or less is considered low, while 20% DV or more is high, allowing people to quickly assess whether a food provides a little or a lot of a specific nutrient without having to calculate actual amounts.
- The %DV is particularly useful because most people don't track their nutrient intake in grams or milligrams, making percentages more practical for everyday decision-making.
- However, individual nutritional needs may vary based on age, gender, activity level, and health conditions, so the standard 2,000-calorie reference may not apply equally to everyone.
- It's also important to note that while vitamin D supplementation has been studied extensively, the evidence suggests that it may not have a significant impact on certain health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease or cancer prevention 2, 3.
- Nonetheless, recent studies have emphasized the importance of vitamin D for overall health, suggesting that higher serum concentrations may reduce the risks of major diseases and mortality, and recommending daily supplementation with 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3 to achieve serum 25(OH)D levels above 30 ng/mL 4.