When does one speak of a vitamin D deficiency?
How much vitamin D a person has in their blood is usually given in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). It is difficult to give an exact limit below which health consequences occur. These long-term effects can also be influenced by other factors. The researchers speak of a deficiency from a level below 50 nmol/L vitamin D in the blood. Evidence suggests that at least this amount of vitamin D should be present to ensure long-term bone and muscle health.
Population shortage statistics
Since the importance of a sufficiently high vitamin D level is recognized in research circles, many studies have been carried out in recent years to find out how widespread vitamin D deficiency is in the population. Studies in Germany and Switzerland have shown that around 50% of the population does not take in enough vitamin D. Because the deficiency is so widespread and has potentially far-reaching health consequences, researchers are even talking about a pandemic. The Swiss Nutrition Commission has therefore issued a recommendation to supplement vitamin D or to ensure sufficient exposure to the sun. There is more information about this in the article “Pille oder Sonne”.
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