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New UK consensus on vitamin D - experts respond
New UK consensus on vitamin D - experts respond
Earlier today, UK health
charities launched a consensus position paper on vitamin D
covering issues of sun exposure, cancer risk and dietary
supplementation, recommending some exposure to midday
sun.
The paper also emphasised that evidence
for additional health benefits for vitamin D beyond bone
health (such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc) remain
inconclusive, and that "optimal levels" of vitamin D have
thus not yet been determined.The health
authorities behind the statement are the British Association
of Dermatologists, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK, the
Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Heart Forum, the
National Osteoporosis Society and the Primary Care
Dermatology Society.A copy of the
position paper can be found here (PDF)
NB: The Ministry of Health is currently preparing a discussion document on potential changes to New Zealand's existing public health recommendations for vitamin D, supplementation and sun exposure. The document is expected to be released early next year.
Dr Brian Cox, Associate Professor of Cancer Epidemiology and Specialist in Public Health Medicine, University of Otago comments:
"This is a very professional statement that provides clear information about the relative role of sun exposure in the production of vitamin D, so that common sense can prevail in the sometimes emotive discussion about potential harms from campaigns to prevent skin cancer The statement is in line with the stated views of various authoritative bodies that have reviewed this issue recently. It will be a very useful document for the further development of skin cancer prevention campaigns and the role of vitamin D in disease in New Zealand."
Professor Murray Skeaff, Head of
Human Nutrition, University of
Otago:
"The Consensus
Vitamin D position paper reflects the views of a wide range
of expert professional, research, and public health
organizations in the United Kingdom. After careful
evaluation of the scientific evidence, their conclusions
about the role of vitamin D in cancer, heart disease,
diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic diseases
were very similar to those of the Institute of Medicine in
the United States who reviewed, independently, the same
evidence.
"The Consensus Position concluded there was
insufficient evidence to warrant public health efforts -
such as food fortification or widespread supplementation -
to increase the vitamin D status of the UK population. The
recommendations for intake of vitamin D continue to be based
on how much is needed for good bone health. Vitamin D
deficiency is defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level
less than 25 nanomoles per litre. People who are at high
risk of vitamin D deficiency because they get little
sunlight exposure should take a vitamin D supplement up to
10 µg a day. It seems reasonable, at this time, that the
same conclusions should apply in New
Zealand."
See also this recently updated
infographic summarising background facts and research about
vitamin D on the Information is Beautiful
website.
ENDS
Science Media Centre NZ
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