Vitamin D supplements in food science argue for it

Experts are clearly in favor of vitamin D fortifications

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in Germany. According to the latest study on Adult Health in Germany (DEGS), around one third of all adults are poorly cared for. Only just under 40 percent achieve adequate care. An international team of experts now advocates the fortification of foods with vitamin D to counteract this widespread deficiency.

Professor Armin Zittermann is an internationally renowned expert in vitamin D research. Together with an international team of the world's leading vitamin D researchers, he recently published a recommended course of action on vitamin D fortification in foods. The results were recently published in the journal "frontiers".

Internationally renowned experts in the field of vitamin D research advocate vitamin D supplements in foods to counteract the widespread vitamin D deficiency. (Image: fotoliaxrender / fotolia.com)

Vitamin D - a special messenger

"Vitamin D is a very special messenger," reports Professor Zittermann, Head of the Study Center of the Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW in a press release on the recommendations. Vitamin D is the direct precursor to an important hormone that controls many processes in our body. A vitamin D deficiency is therefore not only the bone health, but also have effects on organ function, immune system, muscle and mortality, so Zittermann.

Experts give a clear vote for vitamin D.

In order to counteract the lack of vitamin D supply in Germany, the experts have examined in their recommendation whether a systematic fortification of foods with vitamin D is advisable and whether it thus deficiency symptoms in the population can be avoided. After detailed investigations, the team of experts advocates a clear yes. The health system could also be relieved in the long term by the enrichment.

Why do so many people suffer from vitamin D deficiency??

The experts explain that vitamin D in the body is primarily enriched by UV radiation. "For most people, a small deposit will be created in the summer, but that's not enough for many," explains Zimmermann. The research team's research shows that 13 percent of the population has a marked vitamin D deficiency. The recommendations of the expert group is therefore to cover the need in the winter for dietary supplements.

Finland is already showing very good results

Zittermann shows with the example of Finland that such vitamin D accumulations can be worthwhile. Dairy products were enriched with vitamin D several years ago. "Today, there is virtually no one in the Finnish population who suffers from vitamin D deficiency," says the professor.

Germany and Austria should follow the example

The experts are clearly in favor of Germany and Austria joining the Finnish action. Ultimately, this is also a call for political initiative. "Our publication and the recommendations it contains should be trend-setting in order to initiate necessary and appropriate measures," says Zittermann. This has long been established in other countries and with good acceptance. (Vb)