New Vitamin D Guidelines Issued

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has issued a new position statement on vitamin D for older adults. In order to maintain bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture and falls, the IOF recommends that older adults should have a serum 25OHD of 75 nmol/l (30 ng/ml). To reach this level the estimated average vitamin D requirement is 20-25 mcg/day (800-1000 IU/day). However, the IOF warns that some people (e.g.  those who are obese, have limited sun exposure, or have malasorption) may need to increase their intake to as much as 50 mcg/day (2000 IU/day). The IOF also recommends that high risk individuals should have their serum 25OHD levels measured, and that deficiencies should be treated. Lead author of the statement Professor Bess Dawson-Hughes of Tufts University (US) says, "Global vitamin D status shows widespread insufficiency and deficiency. This high prevalence of suboptimal levels raises the possibility that many falls and fractures can be prevented with vitamin D supplementation. This is a relatively easy public health measure that could have significant positive effects on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures."