DSM, IOF Develop Vitamin D Deficiency Map

PARSIPPANY, N.J.DSM Nutritional Products partnered with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to develop an interactive worldwide map on vitamin D levels to highlight the global problem of vitamin D deficiency.  Both organizations agree more advocacy is needed to align the recommended vitamin D intake levels of food and health authorities the world over with more progressive, evidence-based proposals of 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day, especially for risk groups such as women and the elderly.

 At a round table following the IOFs 2010 regional conference in Singapore, scientists from the IOF and DSM discussed ways to highlight the global problem of vitamin D deficiency and the development of an interactive worldwide map on vitamin D levels as a tool for educating the public and policymakers. A prototype of the map, conceptualized through discussions between the IOF and DSM, involved the analysis and calibration of around 900 data points from nearly 200 publications.

Manfred Eggersdorfer, vice president of DSMs Nutrition Science & Advocacy group, which is leading the development of the map, stated: The result clearly shows the vitamin D status of many population groups around the world does not meet experts recommendations."

The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently announced updated Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for vitamin D that tripled the recommended daily allowance across all groups, except those over 50 years of age, for whom the updated allowance increased by 200 IU. Upper intake levels were also raised for all groups. While deemed conservative in light of the latest science and experts recommendations, the IOMs effort has been commended by the IOF and DSM as a step in the right direction to reduce the burden of vitamin D deficiency.  

DSM Nutritional Products supplies vitamins, carotenoids and other fine chemicals to the feed, food, pharmaceutical and personal care industries. The business has sales of more than EUR 2 billion.

IOF is a non profit, nongovernmental umbrella organization dedicated to the worldwide fight against osteoporosis. IOFs members include committees of scientific researchers, patient, medical and research societies and industry representatives from around the world.