Global vitamin D map launched

 

 

 

 

The map and accompanying publication confirm that vitamin D insufficiency is a major public health issue in both the developing and industrialised world, with more than one third of all the populations studied, showing insufficient levels of vitamin D. 

With Thailand expecting its population of elderly (those aged 60 years and above) to make up 30 per cent of the population by 2050, optimal vitamin D levels become a particularly urgent public health issue.

 

Specific population groups, such as females, including women of child-bearing age, and the elderly, are especially at risk. The same population groups in Thailand are not exempt – a sample group of 446 females from the age of 60 to 97 displayed suboptimal levels.

 

Key findings include:

- Thailand is one of the few countries in Asia with relatively good data on levels of vitamin D in the general population

 

-  Overall, insufficient vitamin D levels were detected in more than one third of the study population

 

-    Vitamin D insufficiency affects both the developing world and industrialised world

 

-    The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, but even in sunny countries, vitamin D levels are generally low and below recommended levels (taking India as example: a sunny country; yet, with low vitamin D status)

 

-   Rates of vitamin D insufficiency are higher amongst women than men

 

-    It is estimated that 50 - 70 per cent of the European adult population have insufficient levels of vitamin D

 

-    In US adults, vitamin D insufficiency estimates range from 20% (non-Hispanic whites) – 70 per cent (non-Hispanic blacks)

 

-    Older people are especially at risk for vitamin D insufficiency, including older women who are a risk group for osteoporosis and those living indoors in institutionalised care.

 

Osteoporosis is a serious chronic disease which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Vitamin D improves bone mineral density, which lowers risk of fracture, whilst also improving muscle strength, balance, and leg function which decreases the risk of falling and sustaining a fracture in the first place. As a consequence, vitamin D insufficiency has been linked to a higher risk of osteoporotic fractures.

 

Studies show that adequate vitamin D can reduce the risk of falls and fractures by around 30 per cent. In Germany, research indicated that regular vitamin D supplements can help achieve healthcare cost savings of between Euro 585-778 million in one country alone. 

 

 “IOF urges people at risk of osteoporosis and generally all seniors aged 60 years and older to ensure optimal levels of vitamin D. In these high risk groups IOF recommends 800-1000 IU/day supplementation for fall and fracture prevention. With the launch of these maps, we are calling on health professionals to be aware of the status of vitamin D insufficiency within their own country and urge them to take simple and inexpensive steps to correct it. This will ultimately improve, and even save, lives," said Judy Stenmark, CEO of the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

 

Prof. Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, DrPH, Director Centre on Aging and Mobility, University of Zurich added, “The reality is that natural production of vitamin D through sunlight decreases with age, and it is very difficult to achieve sufficient vitamin D through diet alone, especially in the senior population. The good news is that vitamin D supplementation offers an effective, inexpensive, and safe public health strategy that can make a significant difference to people’s health and quality of life, by reducing 30 per cent of falls and hip fracture.”

 

 

 

The map will support the fight against vitamin D deficiency. The map has also created a very clear picture as to where the vitamin D insufficiency knowledge gaps exist and where further research is required. 

 

DSM joins IOF in calling on healthcare policymakers to raise awareness of vitamin D insufficiency and to take action to ensure intake of recommended vitamin D levels, including through safe and effective measures such as food fortification, access to proper supplements and better consumer education.

About the map – drawing on scientific studies from across the world, the maps colour code levels of vitamin D status based on national scientific data, with green indicating an optimal/desirable vitamin D status, and yellow as inadequate or suboptimal. Orange highlights vitamin D blood levels below 50nmol/l which are considered insufficient, and red indicates severe vitamin D deficiency (below25nmol/l) based on a sliding scale. The maps will be updated annually and provide researchers, medical practitioners and policymakers with an invaluable resource in the fight against vitamin D deficiency.

 

 

The maps can be found on the website of the International Osteoporosis Foundation at www.iofbonehealth.org.