Dietary reference values for vitamin D

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived dietary reference values (DRVs) for vitamin D. The Panel considers that serum 25(OH) D concentration, which reflects the amount of vitamin D attained from both cutaneous synthesis and dietary sources, can be used as a biomarker of vitamin D status in adult and children populations. The Panel notes that the evidence on the relationship between serum 25(OH) D concentration and musculoskeletal health outcomes in adults, infants and children, and adverse pregnancy-related health outcomes, is widely variable. The Panel considers that Average Requirements and Population Reference Intakes for vitamin D cannot be derived, and therefore defines adequate intakes (AIs), for all population groups. Taking into account the overall evidence and uncertainties, the Panel considers that a serum 25 (OH) D concentration of 50 nmol/L is a suitable target value for all population groups, in view of setting the AIs. For adults, an AI for vitamin D is set at 15 mu g/day, based on a meta-regression analysis and considering that, at this intake, the majority of the population will achieve a serum 25(OH) D concentration near or above the target of 50 nmol/L. For children aged 1-17 years, an AI for vitamin D is set at 15 mu g/day, based on the meta-regression analysis. For infants aged 7-11 months, an AI for vitamin D is set at 10 mu g/day, based on trials in infants. For pregnant and lactating women, the Panel sets the same AI as for non-pregnant non-lactating women, i.e. 15 mu g/day. The Panel underlines that the meta-regression was done on data collected under conditions of assumed minimal cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. In the presence of cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, the requirement for dietary vitamin D is lower or may even be zero. (C) 2016 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.