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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 7/2013

01-10-2013 | Original Contribution

New perspectives on vitamin D sources in Germany based on a novel mathematical bottom-up model of 25(OH)D serum concentrations

Authors: Jonathan Brown, Anita Ignatius, Michael Amling, Florian Barvencik

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Up-to-date knowledge about vitamin D supply and serum concentration in Germany is not sufficient. Our purpose was to compare a novel holistic bottom-up modeling of 25(OH)D concentrations with vitamin D sources such as sunlight, food and supplements for all federal states taking seasonal and geographical variations into account. The second purpose was to update and detail vitamin D supply through food in Germany.

Methods

To confirm the model of 25(OH)D concentrations, we used the population (1,763 men and 2,267 women, 18–79 years) participated in the representative German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 and the integrated German Nutrition Survey.

Results

The maximum model value is 67.5 nmol/L in July and minimum model value is 29.3 nmol/L in January, while the average model value is 45.0 nmol/L. Men have a mean daily intake of 137 IU (3.42 μg) and women of 112 IU (2.79 μg). Correlation between model and actual data is 0.77 (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

A comparison of the model data with population-based values showed good agreement. None of the vitamin D sources can provide the German population with enough vitamin D.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
New perspectives on vitamin D sources in Germany based on a novel mathematical bottom-up model of 25(OH)D serum concentrations
Authors
Jonathan Brown
Anita Ignatius
Michael Amling
Florian Barvencik
Publication date
01-10-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0477-3

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