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Osteoporosis International
Published in: Osteoporosis International 7/2005

01-07-2005 | Editorial

Estimates of optimal vitamin D status

Authors: Bess Dawson-Hughes, Robert P. Heaney, Michael F. Holick, Paul Lips, Pierre J. Meunier, Reinhold Vieth

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 7/2005

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Abstract

Vitamin D has captured attention as an important determinant of bone health, but there is no common definition of optimal vitamin D status. Herein, we address the question: What is the optimal circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] for the skeleton? The opinions of the authors on the minimum level of serum 25(OH)D that is optimal for fracture prevention varied between 50 and 80 nmol/l. However, for five of the six authors, the minimum desirable 25(OH)D concentration clusters between 70 and 80 nmol/l. The authors recognize that the average older man and woman will need intakes of at least 20 to 25 mcg (800 to 1,000 IU) per day of vitamin D3 to reach a serum 25(OH)D level of 75 nmol/l. Based on the available evidence, we believe that if older men and women maintain serum levels of 25(OH)D that are higher than the consensus median threshold of 75 nmol/l, they will be at lower risk of fracture.
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Metadata
Title
Estimates of optimal vitamin D status
Authors
Bess Dawson-Hughes
Robert P. Heaney
Michael F. Holick
Paul Lips
Pierre J. Meunier
Reinhold Vieth
Publication date
01-07-2005
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Osteoporosis International / Issue 7/2005
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-005-1867-7

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