Evaluated Lack of vitamin D supply in Germany

Vitamin D supply insufficient in Germany
According to the current study on adult health in Germany "(DEGS), the supply of vitamin D in Germany is inadequate. Vitamin D is found naturally in salmon, mushrooms or matjes. The iodine supply is also still in need of improvement, as the study authors emphasize.

The B-group vitamins are essential to our health, for example by promoting important metabolic processes. (Image: adragan / fotolia.com)

The vitamin D supply of the German population is not sufficient. About 1/3 are with serum concentrations of < 30 nmol/l 25-Hydroxyvitamin-D mangelhaft versorgt und nur knapp 40 % ausreichend. Mit Folat sind 86 % adäquat versorgt. Auch die Kaliumversorgung ist sichergestellt. Für 30 % der Erwachsenen ist die Jodversorgung noch verbesserungswürdig. Mit Natrium sind fast alle mehr als ausreichend versorgt. Bei 90 % der Frauen und 93 % der Männer liegt die Natriumzufuhr über dem Referenzwert. Mit im Mittel umgerechnet 9 bzw. 10 g/Tag nehmen sie auch zu viel Speisesalz auf.

For the 13th DGE nutrition report, the nationwide "Study on adult health in Germany" (DEGS) has presented representative data for the supply of vitamin D, folate, sodium, potassium and iodine. The data are based on clinical-chemical analyzes of blood and urine samples, which allow a reliable assessment of nutrient supply.

Vitamin D is abundant, e.g. in fatty fish (salmon, herring etc.), eggs, butter and cheese. (Image: bit24 / fotolia.com)

The easiest way to provide adequate nutrition is to use a well-balanced and balanced diet in the form of a varied diet, consisting mostly of vegetable matter (cereals, vegetables, fruits) and, to a lesser extent, animal foods (milk, fish, eggs and low meat). consists.

Vitamin D supply in Germany is not sufficient
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism. In DEGS1, approximately 30% of adults had serum concentrations < 30 nmol/l 25-Hydroxy-vitamin-D auf und sind damit mangelhaft mit Vitamin D versorgt. Ältere Menschen gelten als Risikogruppe für einen Vitamin-D-Mangel. Während sich die Konzentrationen bei Männern nur geringfügig über alle Altersgruppen änderten, nahm der Anteil der mangelhaft versorgten Frauen mit steigendem Alter zu. Der Vitamin-D-Status unterliegt starken saisonalen Schwankungen. Für eine ausreichende Versorgung empfiehlt die DGE, zwischen März und Oktober zwei- bis dreimal pro Woche Gesicht, Hände und Arme unbedeckt und ohne Sonnenschutz der Sonne auszusetzen. Sonnenbrände sollten dabei unbedingt vermieden werden. Bei Personen, die zur Risikogruppe gehören, ist zur Sicherstellung der Vitamin-D-Versorgung die Einnahme eines Vitamin-D-Präparats notwendig.

Feed situation of folate in Germany relatively good
Folate is important for cell growth, division and differentiation. Good care is therefore particularly important during pregnancy and in phases of growth. To estimate the supply situation in the population, folate concentrations measured in the serum can be used. The DEGS data show that the median serum serum for adults aged 18 to 79 years is 7.5 ng / ml. At serum folate concentrations of ≥ 4.4 ng / ml, adequate folate supply is assumed. According to this, about 86% of the adult population in Germany are adequately supplied with folate. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended folate levels for women of childbearing potential to prevent embryonic malformations are not met by most women. The DGE recommends that women who want or could become pregnant, and pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, take 400 μg of folic acid daily as a folic acid preparation so that the unborn child can develop optimally.

Sodium intake is mostly above the D-A-CH reference value
In 93% of men and 90% of women, the sodium intake of the German population was above the D-A-CH reference value of 1.5 g / day for adults. The median sodium intake in DEGS was 4.0 g in men and 3.4 g in sodium / day in women, equivalent to about 10 g or 9 g of table salt daily. Sodium and chloride are mainly absorbed via table salt (sodium chloride). The intake of table salt is thus above the DGE orientation value of up to 6 g / day for the majority of adults in Germany. In a recent opinion, the DGE concludes that the relationship between salt intake and blood pressure levels is clear: High salt intake increases the risk of high blood pressure, which is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Potassium supply is ensured
Potassium plays an important role in the regulation of the water balance, nerve impulses and the activation of enzymes in the metabolism of the muscle. A potassium-rich diet can reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. For potassium, an estimate of an adequate intake for women and men of 4 000 mg / day is given. The DEGS study determined urinary potassium excretion and estimated the intake of potassium through nutrition. For women aged 18 to 79, the estimated intake of potassium was about 3,900 mg / day and for men of the same age about 4,300 mg / day.

Iodine supply not yet optimal
Iodine is a vital trace element that needs to be ingested regularly with food. It acts u. a. as a component of thyroid hormones. According to sample data, iodine supply is still unsatisfactory in about 30% of the population. A need for action exists, above all, against the background of the targeted reduction of table salt. In order to achieve a sufficient supply of iodine and to ensure sustainable, measures are required that promote the increased use of iodized table salt in the food and craft industries. The DGE recommends thinking about increasing the iodine content in salt. An excess of iodine over the German population is due to the current data is not to be feared. (Sb, DGE)