ID 151 - Witamina D

PL: Witamina D
EN: Vitamin D
Pdf: vitamin D

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is vitamin D which is a well recognised nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Vitamin D occurs naturally in foods as vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Different forms of vitamin D are authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to vitamin D naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods and for use in food supplements (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, vitamin D, which is the subject of the health claim, is sufficiently characterised.

2.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 150, 151, 158)

The claimed effects are “bone health/ bone strength, includes bone structure, bone mineralisation, bone density”, “teeth mineralization”, and “normal bone and tooth formation”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal bone and teeth is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

Vitamin D can be obtained from dietary sources or can be synthesised in the body by exposure to UV-radiation from the sun. Even though it is more suitable to refer to vitamin D as a hormone, vitamin D resembles true vitamins, since humans deprived of solar exposure depend on a food source. Synthesis of vitamin D in the skin by the action of sunlight is insufficient to meet requirements in European countries, especially during winter months when there is little sunlight exposure.
Vitamin D is biologically inactive and requires successive hydroxylations; first in the liver, where 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) is formed, and the next hydroxylation in the kidneys form 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D), which is the biologically active form of vitamin D. 1,25-(OH)2D interacts with a specific nuclear receptor in its target tissues that results in a biological response. The major target tissues for 1,25-(OH)2D are the intestine and bone; however, nuclear receptors for 1,25- (OH)2D have been identified in several other tissues and in cultured tumour cells. Serum concentration of 25-OHD is accepted as a valid marker of vitamin D status.
The principal physiological function of vitamin D in all vertebrates including humans is to maintain serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in a range that supports cellular processes, neuromuscular function, and bone ossification. Vitamin D accomplishes this goal by enhancing the efficiency of the small intestine to absorb dietary calcium and phosphorous, and by mobilising calcium and phosphorus from the bone.
Vitamin D also has other functions in tissues not primarily related to mineral metabolism. One example is the haematopoietic system, in which vitamin D affects cell differentiation and proliferation including such effects also in cancer cells. Vitamin D furthermore participates in the process of insulin secretion. The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, regulate the transcription of a large number of genes through binding to a transcription factor, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) (SCF, 2002).

3.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 150, 151, 158)

The evidence provided by consensus opinions/reports from authoritative bodies and reviews shows that there is good consensus on the role of vitamin D in growth, development and maintenance of bone and teeth. It is well established that adequate status for vitamin D is required for efficient calcium absorption and for the maintenance of normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphate that are in turn needed for the normal mineralisation of bone and teeth. Adequate intake of vitamin D is needed to achieve a vitamin D status that is sufficient for normal bone and teeth mineralisation throughout childhood and adolescence and for bone maintenance in adults and the elderly. Sub-optimal vitamin D status has been shown to reduce bone mineral accretion in children and adolescents, and to accelerate bone loss in adults and older people. Recommended intakes of vitamin D to meet requirements for growth, development and maintenance of bones and teeth have been established for all life-stage groups by several expert committees. Sub-optimal vitamin D status has been reported in subgroups of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly in a number of European countries, particularly in winter months, indicative of inadequate vitamin D intake (AFSSA, 2001; Cranney et al., 2007; Davies et al., 2005; EVM, 2002; FAO/WHO 2001; IoM, 1997; Greer et al., 2006; Holick, 2004 and 2005; Norman et al., 2007; Ovesen et al., 2003; SCF, 1993, SCF 2002).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of vitamin D and maintenance of normal bone and teeth.

4.1. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości i zębów (ID 150, 151, 158)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth”.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of vitamin D as per Annex to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population.

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must at least be a source of vitamin/s as per annex to regulation 1924/2006 Applicable to both adults and children