Vitamin D Effect on Bone Mineral Density and Fractures.

One hundred years ago, vitamin D was identified as the cause and cure of osteomalacia. This role remains firmly established. Vitamin D influences skeletal mineralization principally through the regulation of intestinal calcium absorption. It has been proposed that vitamin D has direct beneficial effects on bone (besides the prevention of osteomalacia), but these have been difficult to establish in clinical trials. Meta-analyses of vitamin D trials show no effects on bone density or fracture risk when the baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D is >40 nmol/L. A daily dose of 400 to 800 IU vitamin D3 is usually adequate to correct such deficiency.

Reid IR 《-》

Calcium and vitamin D nutrition and bone disease of the elderly.

Gennari C 《PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION》

What diseases are causally linked to vitamin D deficiency?

The classical clinical consequence of vitamin D deficiency is osteomalacia, presenting as rickets in children. This remains a common problem in parts of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, and occurs when serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are <25 nmol/L. Osteomalacia remains the only problem that is unequivocally a consequence of vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are observed in a wide range of conditions, but consistent trial evidence of amelioration of these conditions with vitamin D is lacking. Monotherapy with vitamin D has not been found to be effective in meta-analyses of trials assessing its effects on bone density, fractures or falls. At present, supplements should be advised for individuals at risk of having serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the 25-40 nmol/L range, or below, with a view to prevention of osteomalacia.

Reid IR 《-》

[Should the vitamin D level be determined for all fracture patients?].

van den Bergh J ，van Geel T ，Geusens P 《-》

Calcium and/or Vitamin D Supplementation for the Prevention of Fragility Fractures: Who Needs It?

Reid IR ，Bolland MJ 《Nutrients》