An update on UK Vitamin D intakes and status,and issues for food fortification and supplementation |
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Authors: | A. O'Connor B. Benelam |
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Affiliation: | British Nutrition Foundation, London, UK |
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Abstract: | Vitamin D is unique among the essential nutrients in that it can be made in the body via exposure of the skin to sunlight. There are few rich sources of vitamin D in the diet. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and deficiency of vitamin D causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. In the UK, there is evidence that low vitamin D status is prevalent in the population and older adults living in institutions are particularly at risk. There are two forms of vitamin D that can be added to foods and drinks: vitamin D2 and D3. They have somewhat different structures, and there are some differences in the way they are metabolised by the body. Overall, the evidence for the relative effectiveness of vitamin D2 vs. D3 is mixed, and more studies are needed to provide a clearer picture. However, there does seem to be some indication that D3 is more effective than D2 in raising vitamin D status. |
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Keywords: | fortification vitamin D deficiency vitamin D status vitamin D2 vitamin D3 |
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