Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: February 26, 2013 | Revision accepted: July 18, 2013
Introduction
The fat soluble vitamin D is essential for intra- and extracellular potassium and phosphate homeostasis, as well as for bone mineralisation. The recognised consequences of vitamin D deficiency are therefore mostly skeletal diseases, e. g. rickets or osteomalacia [1].
The current “estimate of appropriate supply of vitamin D in the lack of endogenous synthesis” (referred to below as “estimate”) of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) is 20 g/d for adults. However, vitamin D can also be synthesised endogenously. Under normal living conditions in Germany, endogenous synthesis is indeed the most important factor, corresponding to 80–90 % of vitamin D supply [1, 2].
Summary
The summer vitamin D status was measured of 35 professional and recreational athletes. Professional and recreational athletes consumed 3.5 ± 5.9 g/d and 3.9 ± 5.1 g/d vitamin D, respectively (p = 0.82). However, the serum values (90 ± 14 nmol/L and 74 ± 2 nmol/L; p = 0.03) were within the normal range. It is possible that UV exposure during training makes a major contribution towards meeting requirements.
Keywords: Vitamin D status, nutrition, sports, excercise
