Vitamin D: should the supply in the Danish population be increased?
A working group was established to evaluate the need for an increased vitamin D intake in the Danish population. Vitamin D is primarily important for calcium homeostasis, calcium absorption in the intestine and calcium content in bones, and thereby for the strength of the bones. Only a few foods provide vitamin D and the intake in the Danish population is low compared to the recommendation. However, vitamin D is also produced by the skin from solar exposure. How much vitamin D is provided this way is not known but it is said to be the most important source. Measures of vitamin D status and clinical signs of vitamin D status are therefore important when assessing the possible need for increased vitamin D intake. Measures of vitamin D status have shown a low status in the elderly but not in the young. More than 50% of nursing-home residents have low blood vitamin D levels and many have biochemical signs of osteomalacia. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis. In Denmark, for instance, 13,000 admissions each year are caused by hip fractures alone, almost all among elderly people. Dark-skinned women often constitute a problem with respect to vitamin D sufficiency because of reduced production from the skin secondary to extensive covering, skin pigmentation and many hours spent indoors. It is concluded that the elderly and dark-skinned (veiled) women will benefit from an increased vitamin D supply. Four strategies to increase vitamin D supply were considered: dietary changes, increased solar exposure, dietary supplements with vitamin D and food fortification with vitamin D. It is concluded that the best solution is to recommend dietary supplements with vitamin D to elderly over 65 years, dark-skinned and veiled women and people who, because of disease, are unable to spend time outdoors.
Rasmussen
L B
LB
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Søborg, Denmark.
Hansen
G L
GL
Hansen
E
E
Koch
B
B
Mosekilde
L
L
Mølgaard
C
C
Sørensen
O H
OH
Ovesen
L
L
D000367:Age Factors; D003469:Culture; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006370:Heliotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
D014807:Vitamin D