The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition¹¹ (SACN) report, ‘Vitamin D and Health’,⁹ was published in July 2016.

SACN had been reviewing the reference values for vitamin D intake and a risk assessment of the vitamin D status of the UK population. Among its considerations had been the association between vitamin D status and various health outcomes at different life stages.

Since 1998, the UK government advice had been that no dietary intake of vitamin D was necessary for individuals living a ‘normal lifestyle’, but supplementation was recommended for certain groups who were considered at risk of vitamin D deficiency.⁹

Target levels

The new recommendations set a target level for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [abbreviated as 25(OH)D] concentrations.

To protect musculoskeletal health this should not fall below 25nmol/l at any time of the year for people living in the UK. People at risk of serum levels falling below this are “those with minimal sunshine exposure as a result of not spending substantial time outdoors (eg, frail and institutionalised people) or habitually wearing clothing that covers most of the skin while outdoors and those from minority ethnic groups with dark skin.”

As it is not possible to make a recommendation about summer sun exposure levels for the UK population that will maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations during the following winter, SACN has proposed a Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for vitamin D of 10mcg (400IU) per day for all people aged four years and older. This includes pregnant and lactating women as well as the increased risk population groups.

The RNI is considered “the amount needed for 97.5 per cent of the population to maintain a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 25nmol/l when UVB sunshine exposure is minimal.” SACN has also proposed that the RNI recommendation applies through the year as a precautionary measure.