Introduction
IU stands for international unit and it denotes an internationally accepted amount of a substance. This is based on the pharmacological activity or effect of the substance. International unit (IU) is used for certain hormones, enzymes, biological preparations like vaccines and certain vitamins. They are the fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E and sometimes the water soluble vitamin C. These can therefore be referred to as IU vitamins. Officially defined by the International Conference for Unification of formulae, 1 IU differs in micrograms from substance to substance. Therefore the use of international units is convenient and quite helpful when standardization of measures is required especially for the most common IU vitamin used.
History
The World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Biological Standardization organized an extensive joint study that used different assays systems in numerous laboratories. A general agreement is reached that determined the final IU value for samples of the given international reference preparations, IRPs. An International reference preparation is a highly purified preparation of the substance in a lypophilized form and the IRP that produces the most favourable results and demonstrate a promise for long-term stability is accepted to represent the IU. A consensus was also reached regarding the procedure,techniques, and analytical methods used to progress towards standardization. In this way the IU vitamin used is described.
Features
IU vitamin used most often are vitamins A, D, E. The values for reference daily intake (RDI) in international units (IU) for these vitamins will be mentioned first. The recommended daily intake for vitamin A is 5000 IU, for vitamin D it is 400 IU and the RDI for vitamin E is 30 IU. You can take these vitamins as a part of your diet from fresh fruits and vegetables. However, supplements are always available. IU vitamin used can have advantages and disadvantages depending on the dosage. You can use IU vitamin for several reasons. One of the most useful function of IU vitamin A is prevention or treatment of acne. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, controls acne by reducing the formation and accumulation of dead cells by expelling it from the pores. Lack of vitamin A can hence dispose a person to skin infection and chronic acne. However, it is of utmost importance to not exceed intake more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day, as that is injurious to health. Vitamin E is another IU vitamin used as it is a very important antioxidant. It not only strengthens the immune system but it also slows down the ageing process of the cells. This fat soluble vitamin is also needed for red blood cell synthesis and for robust skin and lungs. While vitamin D is made naturally when sunlight hits our skin, this IU vitamin can be used for our benefit. Vitamin is essential for a healthy skeletal system with strong bones.
Tips and comments
IU vitamins are used in cases when you are not receiving the required amount of the vitamins in your diet. Many people do not get adequate exposure to sunlight, for them vitamin D IU supplements are very beneficial. Make sure you select supplements with IU value that is mentioned as RDI, because excess of any vitamin, unless prescribed by a doctor, is harmful. In this way you can use IU vitamin supplements to better your quality of life and be fit and healthy.
