A glimpse of vitamin D status in Mainland China

As an essential dietary micronutrient, vitamin D plays a pivotal role in promoting calcium absorption in the intestine and maintaining a healthy skeletal system throughout life. Beyond bone health, an emerging volume of scientific studies shows that vitamin D also may provide cardiovascular, metabolic, and immunologic benefits and reduce mortality. To our knowledge, in mainland China no national surveys have been conducted to date to depict the overall vitamin D status in the population. Therefore, the purpose of this contribution was to provide the best possible evaluation of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in China by reviewing publications that measured plasma/serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25[OH]D) levels in various age groups and in different areas of China from January 2000 to June 2012. From these investigations conducted throughout the country and from newborns to adults to the elderly, it has been found that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is prevalent in the Chinese population in almost all age groups and areas if individuals are not taking vitamin D-fortified products/supplements or are lacking sufficient sunshine exposure. Some studies showed severe deficiency (25[OH]D <25 nmol/L) in Nanjing (north latitude 31) during the winter months and in Beijing (north latitude 40) in the fall. This unoptimistic situation represents a significant but modifiable public health risk that deserves greater attention and more efficient and timely management.