Vitamin D Intake: A Global Perspective of Current Status

Title
Vitamin D intake: a global perspective of current status.
Source
Journal of Nutrition. 135, (2): 310-316, 2005.

The adequacy of vitamin D intake worldwide is reviewed, and the ability of current fortification policies and supplement use practices among various countries to meet this recommendation is evaluated. Aspects considered include: controversy over the source of vitamin D; vitamin D intake and the importance of food fortification and dietary supplement use; and evidence of the successful fortification of food staples.

Vitamin D Deficiency

From this global review of current estimates of vitamin D intakes, it is clear that the current food supply, supplementation practices, and dietary patterns of most countries cannot adequately compensate for the existing cautionary guidelines to limit solar exposure to prevent skin cancer. It is incumbent on nutritional scientists worldwide to educate the public and regulatory agencies to the importance of developing dietary strategies to maintain adequate vitamin D nutritional status in the general population. Progress toward this goal is evident in the recent promulgation of a qualified health claim on foods in Canada concerning the need for both calcium and vitamin D, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of the addition of vitamin D to calcium-fortified fruit juices. Further study is needed to demonstrate efficacy and safety of new strategies in food fortification or nutritional supplementation targeted at groups at risk of dietary vitamin D inadequacy, particularly in the elderly and with racial and ethnic groups, to help ensure adequate vitamin D intake critical to overall health and prevention of chronic disease.