Vitamin D Status
Vitamin D status is measured using serum 25(OH)D levels. This reflects vitamin D derived from food or endogenous synthesis.1 Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a serum 25(OH) level < 37.5 nmol/l in adults or < 27.5 nmol/l in infants and children.1 The suggested target for optimal level of 25(OH)D in adults is widely accepted as ≥ 75 nmol/l.1 However, according to the new Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) published by the Institute of Medicine, a level of 25(OH)D above 20 ng/mL (or 50 nmol/L) is sufficient for good bone health for practically all individuals.2 Vitamin D can be obtained via endogenous synthesis upon skin exposure to UVB (290-310 nm) or through foods.1
Factors influencing endogenous synthesis of vitamin D include:1
- Latitude,
- Limited time spent outdoors,
- Skin pigmentation,
- Age,
- Sunscreen/clothing.
In countries above 40˚ north latitude (including Canada) or below 40˚ south latitude, UVB radiation is not strong enough for endogenous synthesis to occur during the winter months.1
Individuals who are not able to be outdoors are vulnerable year-round.1
The skin pigment melanin can reduce photosynthesis of vitamin D by 50-fold, therefore individuals with darker skin are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.1
Endogenous synthesis of vitamin D decreases with age.1
Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or more also suppresses endogenous synthesis of vitamin D.1
Improving vitamin D status
Since ongoing endogenous synthesis is problematic, maintaining adequate vitamin D status depends on body stores of vitamin D and intake from dietary sources.3
With respect to dietary sources, only a few foods contain vitamin D naturally (e.g. fatty fish, egg yolks, and fish liver oils) and these foods are not consumed on a regular basis.3
A systematic review published in 2008 evaluated the efficacy of vitamin D-fortified foods on serum 25(OH) concentrations.3
- Fortified foods contribute ~ 65-86% of the total daily vitamin D intake from foods with milk contributing ~ 40-64%;
- Nine randomized controlled trials (n = 889 US adults) were included in the systematic review;
- Eight of the nine studies consistently showed a significant beneficial effect of food fortification on 25(OH) concentrations;
- The authors concluded that vitamin D-fortified foods improved vitamin D status in US adults.
In March 2010, Statistics Canada released the findings from their Canada-wide survey, the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), examining the vitamin D status of Canadians. This survey polled 5,306 Canadians aged 6 to 79 years. Please see the article “Vitamin D Status of Canadians” for more details.4
Factors associated with suboptimal vitamin D status included:4
- Winter season,
- Racial background other than white,
- Less frequent consumption of milk.
The frequency of milk consumption tended to be positively related to 25(OH)D levels.4
People who consumed milk more than once a day had a mean concentration of 75 nmol/l vs. 62.7 nmol/l among those who did so less than once a day.4
References
- Weiler H. Vitamin D: The current state in Canada. A CCFN Watching Brief, August 2008.
- Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2011.
- O’Donnell S et al. Efficacy of food fortification on serum 25-hydroxyviatmin D concentrations: systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:1528-1534.
- Langlois K et al. Vitamin D status of Canadians as measured in the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Statistics Canada 2010; catalogue no. 82-003-X.
Keywords: vitamin d , survey on vitamin d , data on consumption , statistics canada