Relative contributions of diet and sunlight to vitamin D state in the elderly. Issue 6185 (4th August 1979)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lawson, D E; Paul, A A; Black, A E; Cole, T J; Mandal, A R; Davie, M
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 6185(1979)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 305
• Publication Date: 1979-08-04
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6185.303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : In winter the vitamin D state of elderly people may reach levels associated with osteomalacia, although the disease may not be clinically apparent. A statistical correlation was observed in a group of elderly subjects during the winter between dietary vitamin D intake and vitamin D state, but the intake was generally too low to make a biologically important contribution to maintaining vitamin D concentrations. Ultraviolet light (UVL) is the primary determinant of vitamin D state in summer and winter, in winter owing to the pools of vitamin D built up during the previous summer. Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) in winter of 15.0-22.5 nmol/l (6-9 ng/ml) require that the concentration in the previous summer was over 40 nmol/l (16 ng/ml). To maintain plasma concentrations in the elderly above those associated with osteomalacia a mean dietary vitamin D intake of over 5 microgram/day is required. A more physiological approach, however, would be to increase exposure to UVL.