We conducted a literature review to compare the vitamin D requirements of chickens, pigs, and humans and to make recommendations for vitamin D intake. Vitamin D requirements and recommendations for intake have increased over the years, both in farm animals and humans. Vitamin D and its metabolites have long been used in livestock because of their beneficial effects on animal health and production. However, deficiency can occur when it is not present in nature and there is no access to sunlight, which can lead to disease. In humans, interest in vitamin D increased during the pandemic COVID -19 as various studies showed the positive effects of vitamin D on reducing the risk of infection. Vitamin D deficiency in young animals causes rickets, a bone growth disorder in which the storage of calcium and phosphorus is impaired. In humans, long-term vitamin D deficiency can lead to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, infections, and pregnancy complications, as well as certain cancers such as breast, prostate, and colon. Recommendations for vitamin D intake in chickens range from 2000 to 5000 IU/kg feed, and in pigs the minimum recommendation is 150-220 IU/kg feed. However, practical intake recommendations are many times higher. Human intake recommendations ranging from 1000 IU/day for infants to 2000 IU/day for all other age groups.
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