EU confirms DSM health claim that vitamin D can lower the risk of falling among the elderly
The claim can only be used for supplements that provide at least 15µg in a daily portion
The European Commission has authorised an Article 14 EFSA health claim submitted by DSM, stating that vitamin D helps to lower the risk of falling associated with postural instability and muscle weakness.
A daily intake of 20µg of vitamin D from all sources is required to obtain the beneficial effect and the EFSA claim can only be used for food supplements that provide at least 15µg (or 600 IU (international units)) of vitamin D per daily portion.
It is estimated that more than a third of the global population suffers from low vitamin D status, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Supplementation can address shortfalls in individuals who are unable to achieve sufficient intake of vitamin D through diet or exposure to sunlight alone, DSM says.
'We have been working closely with the scientific community on the preparation of the dossier to meet the strict requirements of the European Commission – a process of more than four years,' said Wouter Claerhout, Head Global Marketing, Human Nutrition & Health at DSM Nutritional Products.
'We are proud to have been able to contribute in such a meaningful way to public health – fall prevention has important psychological benefits to seniors and it helps to reduce osteoporotic fractures.'
The new claim follows the publication of a number of studies on the wider role that vitamins play in supporting human health, particularly for the older population.
