Cited by 2,689Vitamin D Research StudiesNutrition and Health StudiesBone health and osteoporosis research

Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences

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Holick, Michael F, Chen, Tai C·2008·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of appreciation that sun exposure in moderation is the major source of vitamin D for most humans. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D are often inadequate to satisfy either a child's or an adult's vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. A circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of >75 nmol/L, or 30 ng/mL, is required to maximize vitamin D's beneficial effects for health. In the absence of adequate sun exposure, at least 800-1000 IU vitamin D3/d may be needed to achieve this in children and adults. Vitamin D2 may be equally effective for maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D when given in physiologic concentrations.

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Authors
Holick, M. F., & Chen, T. C.
Affiliations
Boston University (US)
Corresponding author
Holick, Michael F
Venue
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-04
Volume
87
Issue
4
Pages
1080S-1086S
ISSN
0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2163507707
Cited by
2,689
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 95 · 2024: 119 · 2023: 144 · 2022: 177 · 2021: 189 · 2020: 186 · 2019: 197 · 2018: 177 · 2017: 205 · 2016: 181 · 2015: 182 · 2014: 143 · 2013: 149 · 2012: 129
FWCI
84.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
Keywords
vitamin D deficiency, sun exposure, vitamin D fortification, rickets, osteoporosis, osteopenia, fracture, cancer risk, autoimmune disease, hypertension, infectious diseases, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D3, vitamin D2, vitamin D intake
MeSH terms
Autoimmune Diseases, Bone and Bones, Cardiovascular Diseases, Food, Fortified, Humans, Neoplasms, Nutritional Requirements, Rickets, Sunlight, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Global Health, Bone Density, Bone Density Conservation Agents

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