The key changes in the new Nature Made Multivitamin formula include:

• Optimum level of vitamin D (1,000 IU) – Optimum level suggested by vitamin D experts for overall health, including autoimmune protection, heart health, teeth and bone strength, mood health, colon and prostate health and more
• Higher levels of vitamin C (180 mg), vitamin E (50 IU) – Antioxidant powerhouses which help boost immunity and fight against the aging effects of free radical damage, which can impair normal cell function
• Rich in selenium (70 mcg) – Boosts the immune system and neutralizes free radicals
• Enhanced blend of vitamin A (2,500 IU with 60 percent Beta Carotene) – Essential for healthy vision and proper immune function; low levels of retinol and higher levels of beta carotene support bone health and reduces free radical damage in the body
• Higher amount of vitamin K (80 mcg) – Maintains bone strength and heart health

“Recent studies show that many Americans are vitamin D deficient, and that a vast majority are deficient during the winter, mainly due to decreased exposure to sunlight,” said John Jacob Cannell, MD, and executive director of The Vitamin D Council, a non-profit organization that raises awareness for vitamin D deficiency. “Coupled with the fact that food sources for this vitamin are limited, the most practical way to increase our vitamin D levels is from dietary supplements, like a daily multivitamin that offers at least 1,000 IUs of vitamin D.”

According to experts, intake levels for many populations in the U.S. are not adequate for vitamin D. Study findings confirm that at least 40 percent of the U.S. population is deficient, including up to 60 percent of all hospital patients, 76 percent of pregnant mothers, up to 80 percent of nursing home patients and 85 percent of elderly African-Americans.

The latest nutritional science has also shown that vitamin D’s role expands beyond bone health. In fact, most vitamin D researchers believe intake levels of 1,000 IUs of vitamin D benefit a wide variety of health concerns including muscle and joint protection, support for colon and prostate health, and immune system strength.

Cannell adds, "Those who choose to switch from a traditional multi to one with higher levels of vitamin D may experience benefits that extend far beyond bone health.”

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is made by a natural chemical reaction when the skin is exposed to sunlight. U.S. Dietary Advisory Guidelines state that for individuals who do not get adequate exposure to sunlight, 1,000 IU daily of vitamin D is recommended. These individuals include older adults, people with darker pigmentation, and people who wear sunscreen and lack adequate exposure to sunlight, such as housebound individuals. Adequate vitamin D intake is especially important during winter months when Americans in northern latitudes have less days of direct exposure to the sun’s UVB rays.