Vitamin D food fortification in European countries: the underused potential to prevent cancer deaths.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have shown that vitamin D supplementation reduces cancer mortality by 13%. Vitamin D fortification of foods may increase vitamin D levels in a similar manner as vitamin D supplementation and could achieve similar reductions in cancer mortality. Whereas some European countries already implemented widespread fortification of foods with vitamin D, in other countries only few or no foods are fortified. In this study, we estimated the reduction in cancer mortality presumably already achieved by current fortification policies in 2017 and the potential for further reductions if all countries had effective fortification.

Methods

We reviewed scientific literature, publicly available information, and contacted health authorities

SUBMITTER: Niedermaier T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9187526 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature