Low vitamin D status: definition, prevalence, consequences, and correction.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology
PubMed 20511052 · doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2010.02.008
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on vitamin D metabolism, evaluation methods via serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), diagnostic thresholds, population prevalence of deficiency, skeletal and nonskeletal clinical consequences, and supplementation strategies.
What was found
Optimal circulating 25(OH)D is defined as approximately 30 to 32 ng/mL or above, leaving an estimated three-quarters of US adults classified as having low levels. Reaching optimal status requires daily intakes of at least 1000 IU of vitamin D, with a low risk of toxicity. Supplementation with vitamin D3 may be superior to vitamin D2, though substantial inter-individual response variability exists. Causality between low status and nonskeletal morbidities remains unproven.
Why it matters
The review summarizes clinical rationale for defining vitamin D sufficiency at or above 30 to 32 ng/mL and supports higher daily baseline intake recommendations.
Limits
This is a narrative review with no systematic search criteria or pooled quantitative data provided in the abstract. Causality for nonskeletal outcomes is unestablished, optimal monitoring intervals are unaddressed, and precise sample sizes are not reported.
Cited by
- supports Supplementation with approximately 1,000 IU of vitamin D generally increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations by about 5 ng/mL.