title: Vitamin D in preventive medicine.
abstract: The global burden of vitamin D deficiency is of great concern for public health. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that vitamin D supplementation reduces fractures, falls, and mortality. These findings are, however, not universally accepted and there exists certain controversy regarding the potential benefits of vitamin D. Whereas vitamin D might also be relevant for extra-skeletal diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or infections, the recommended Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) are solely based on skeletal effects. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) range from 600 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day, corresponding to a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). Consequently, there exists a substantial gap between the RDA and the actual high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in general populations, particularly among the elderly. Therefore, achieving the RDA will require additional efforts including food fortification, vitamin D supplementation and health campaigns.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands stefan.pilz@chello.at.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Pilz
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Gaksch
authors: Department of Radiology, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, U.S.A. Department of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine, Adler Geriatric Center, New Haven, CT, U.S.A.
authors: Bríain Ó
authors: BÓ
authors: Hartaigh
authors: Specialist Clinic of Rehabilitation PV Bad Aussee, Bad Aussee, Austria Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Tomaschitz
authors: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Medical Clinic V (Nephrology, Hypertensiology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Rheumatology) Mannheim Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany Synlab Academy, Synlab Laboratory Services GmbH, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Winfried
authors: W
authors: März
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: 25(OH)D; Vitamin D; cancer; epidemiology; preventive medicine; review