Vitamin D and Calcium Boost

14/07/06 It's known that calcium is critical for bone health. The latest research also shows that vitamin D is more important for bone health than was previously believed. A new study by the University of Maryland's Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy (CFNAP) found that both men and women over 55 don't get enough vitamin D, reflecting a June 21 National Public Radio report that experts think many Americans don't get enough vitamin D. Nutrition experts predict that vitamin D will be a hot topic for the next Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, to begin its review of the data in 2008 in preparation for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

A recent CFNAP study also shows that Americans, especially adolescent and African American women, don't consume enough calcium at the time they most need it to develop bone density. In this Q&A interview, nutritionist and CFNAP director Maureen Storey talks about the results of the vitamin D study, which also examined the potential of fortifying bread and other grain products to raise calcium and vitamin D intake in low consumption groups.

Key findings of CFNAP Vitamin D and Calcium Fortification Study

* Older men and women don't get the recommended amount of vitamin D.

* Females, particularly adolescents and young women don't consume enough calcium.

* Fortifying multi-grain and whole wheat breads with calcium and vitamin D increases overall consumption by a small amount, but among those who do consume multi-grain and whole wheat bread there is about a 10% increase in vitamin D consumption.

* Fortifying a broader range of grain products may have a larger impact.