British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2011 - Volume 105, Issue 01  

Full Papers

Workshop Report

Proceedings of the Rank Forum on Vitamin D

S. A. Lanham-Newa1 c1, J. L. Buttrissa2, L. M. Milesa2, M. Ashwella3, J. L. Berrya4, B. J. Bouchera5, K. D. Cashmana6, C. Coopera7a8, A. L. Darlinga1, R. M. Francisa9, W. D. Frasera10, C. P. G. M. de Groota11, E. Hyppönena12, M. Kielya6, C. Lamberg-Allardta13, H. M. Macdonalda14, A. R. Martineaua5, T. Masuda15, A. Mavroeidia14, C. Nowsona16, A. Prenticea17, E. M. Stonea18, S. Reddya19, R. Vietha20 and C. M. Williamsa21

a1 Nutritional Sciences Division, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

a2 British Nutrition Foundation, London, UK

a3 Ashwell Associates, Ashwell, UK

a4 University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

a5 Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

a6 University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

a7 University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

a8 University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

a9 University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK

a10 University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

a11 Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

a12 UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK

a13 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

a14 University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

a15 University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

a16 Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

a17 MRC-Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, UK

a18 Food Standards Agency, London, UK

a19 Department of Health, London, UK

a20 University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

a21 University of Reading, Reading, UK

Abstract

The Rank Forum on Vitamin D was held on 2nd and 3rd July 2009 at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. The workshop consisted of a series of scene-setting presentations to address the current issues and challenges concerning vitamin D and health, and included an open discussion focusing on the identification of the concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (a marker of vitamin D status) that may be regarded as optimal, and the implications this process may have in the setting of future dietary reference values for vitamin D in the UK. The Forum was in agreement with the fact that it is desirable for all of the population to have a serum 25(OH)D concentration above 25 nmol/l, but it discussed some uncertainty about the strength of evidence for the need to aim for substantially higher concentrations (25(OH)D concentrations>75 nmol/l). Any discussion of ‘optimal’ concentration of serum 25(OH)D needs to define ‘optimal’ with care since it is important to consider the normal distribution of requirements and the vitamin D needs for a wide range of outcomes. Current UK reference values concentrate on the requirements of particular subgroups of the population; this differs from the approaches used in other European countries where a wider range of age groups tend to be covered. With the re-emergence of rickets and the public health burden of low vitamin D status being already apparent, there is a need for urgent action from policy makers and risk managers. The Forum highlighted concerns regarding the failure of implementation of existing strategies in the UK for achieving current vitamin D recommendations.

(Received May 07 2010)

(Revised June 01 2010)

(Accepted June 02 2010)

(Online publication December 07 2010)

Key Words:

Correspondence:

c1 Corresponding author: Dr S. A. Lanham-New, fax +44 1483 686401, email s.lanham-new@surrey.ac.uk

Footnotes

The Rank Forum on Vitamin D Proceedings are dedicated to the late Professor Ian Macdonald, DSc (London), who encouraged S. A. L.-N. with great enthusiasm and foresight to organise the Rank Forum on Vitamin D, and who would have been so pleased with the meeting outcomes.

Abbreviations: 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D; COMA, Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy; DRV, dietary reference values; FSA, Food Standards Agency; RCT, randomised controlled trials; RNI, reference nutrient intake; SACN, Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition