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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, No. 4, 1080S-1086S, April 2008
© 2008 American Society for Nutrition

Assessment of Vitamin D in Population-Based Studies

Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences1,2,3,4

Michael F Holick and Tai C Chen

1 From the Department of Medicine; Section of Endocrinology, Nutrition, and Diabetes; Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory; Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of appreciation that sun exposure in moderation is the major source of vitamin D for most humans. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D are often inadequate to satisfy either a child's or an adult's vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. A circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of >75 nmol/L, or 30 ng/mL, is required to maximize vitamin D's beneficial effects for health. In the absence of adequate sun exposure, at least 800–1000 IU vitamin D3/d may be needed to achieve this in children and adults. Vitamin D2 may be equally effective for maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D when given in physiologic concentrations.




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 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A. E Millen and L. M Bodnar
Preface
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2008; 87(4): 1079S - 1079S.
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