Vitamin D deficiency can lead to musculoskeletal diseases such as rickets and
osteomalacia, but vitamin D supplementation may also prevent extraskeletal diseases such
as respiratory tract infections, asthma exacerbations, pregnancy complications and
premature deaths. Vitamin D has a unique metabolism as it is mainly obtained through
synthesis in the skin under the influence of sunlight (ie, ultraviolet-B radiation) whereas
intake by nutrition traditionally plays a relatively minor role. Dietary guidelines for vitamin D …

Pilz et al. Vitamin D Food Fortification concentrations are used to assess vitamin D status,
with the recommended target concentrations ranging from≥ 25 to≥ 50 nmol/L (≥ 10–≥
20ng/mL), corresponding to a daily vitamin D intake of 10 to 20 µg (400–800 international
units). Most populations fail to meet these recommended dietary vitamin D requirements. In
Europe, 25 (OH) D concentrations< 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) and< 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) are
present in 13.0 and 40.4% of the general population, respectively. This substantial gap …