The Journal of Nutrition Nutrient Requirements and Optimal Nutrition Vitamin D Supplement Consumption Is Required to Achieve a Minimal Target 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration of $75 nmol/L in Older People1,2

Population level data on how older individuals living at high latitudes achieve optimal vitamin D status are not fully explored. Our objective was to examine the intake of vitamin D among healthy older individuals with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations$75 nmol/L and to describe current sources of dietary vitamin D.We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of 404 healthy men and women aged 69 to 83 y randomly selected from the NuAge longitudinal study in Québec, Canada. Dietary intakes were assessed by 6 24-h recalls. We examined the contribution of foods and vitamin/ mineral supplements to vitamin D intake. Serum 25(OH)D was assessed by RIA. We assessed smoking status, season of 25(OH)D measurement, physical activity, and anthropometric and sociodemographic variables. Vitamin D status was distributed as follows: 7 % (,37.5 nmol/L), 48 % (37.5–74.9 nmol/L), and 45 % ($75 nmol/L). Vitamin D intake from supplements varied across the 3 vitamin D status groups: 0.5, 4.1, and 8.9 mg/d, respectively (P, 0.0001). Adding food sources, these total intakes were 4.6, 8.7, and 14.1 mg/d, respectively. In multivariate analysis, vitamin D from foods and supplements and by season was associated with vitamin D status. These healthy, community-dwelling older men and women with 25(OH)D concentrations.75 nmol/L had mean intakes of 14.1 mg/d from food and supplements. Supplement use is an important contributor to achieve a minimal target of 25(OH)D concentration $75 nmol/L. J. Nutr. 140: 551–556, 2010