Vitamin D fortification of milk helps (proven in Gemany this time) – RCT Dec 2013

Vitamin D fortification of growing up milk prevents decrease of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations during winter: a clinical intervention study in Germany.

Eur J Pediatr. 2013 Dec;172(12):1597-605. doi: 10.1007/s00431-013-2092-6. Epub 2013 Jul 13.
Hower J1, Knoll A, Ritzenthaler KL, Steiner C, Berwind R.
1Überörtliche Gemeinschaftspraxis für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin Standort Dümpten, Mellinghofer Straße 256, 45475, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany, juergen.hower at googlemail.com.

Vitamin D plays an important role in human health. Current recommendations for vitamin D intake and endogenous supply through sun exposure are not met in German pre-school children, and suboptimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, especially during the winter months, are common. Consequently, vitamin D supplementation or fortification have gained increased acceptance. The KiMi trial (Kindermilch=growing up milk) was a prospective, randomized, and double-blind study in which young children (2-6 years of age, n=92) were assigned to receive either vitamin D-fortified growing up milk (2.85 μg/100 ml) or semi skimmed cow's milk without added vitamin D. Daily consumption of fortified growing up milk contributed to the prevention of an otherwise frequently observed decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration during winter (before winter: median 21.5 ng/mL (10.1-43.0 ng/mL) intervention vs. median 18.4 ng/mL (11.0-44.9 ng/mL) control; after winter: median 24.8 ng/mL (7.0-48.2 ng/mL) intervention vs. median 13.6 ng/mL (7.0-36.8 ng/mL) control) and proved to be safe during summer (median 27.6 ng/mL (18.8-40.5 ng/mL) intervention vs. median 27.4 ng/mL (17.8-38.7 ng/mL) control). Due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, fortification of growing up milk with vitamin D at a level used in this study could be an effective measure to improve vitamin D status.

PMID: 23851699

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Summary by Vitamin D Life

Fortified with 110 IU of vitamin D/ 100 grams (hopefully D3)
Summer 27.6 ng vs 27.4 ng = difficult to notice the difference
After Winter 24.8 ng vs 13.6 ng

See also Vitamin D Life

• Germany does not fortify ANY food with vitamin D, is considering 1000 IU from bread – Nov 2013
• Sweden has fortified low-fat milk with a small amount of vitamin D since 1983
• Typically takes a century for govts to fortify food with nutrients (like vitamin D)
• 400 IU of Vitamin D fortification of food almost stopped winter decline – Aug 2013
• Milk, at 100 IU per glass, no longer provides enough vitamin D – Aug 2013
• Milk fortification of 1000 IU got most children above 20ng of vitamin D – March 2013
• Fortification category listing has 111 items along with related searches