[Fortification of food with vitamin D is a reasonable approach to fracture prophylaxis].

Vitamin-D deficiency is common in immobile elderly and non-Western immigrants and has been related to muscle weakness in these populations. When serum calcidiol concentrations are below 50 nmol/l, parathyroid hormone concentrations increase, causing bone resorption. Bone mineral density and proximal muscle strength increase as the serum concentration ofcalcidiol increases. Vitamin-D supplementation is reported to reduce the incidence of fractures in nursing home residents. Dutch guidelines recommend vitamin-D supplementation for nursing home residents and for those who are house-bound. Fortification of milk and other foods with vitamin D in the United States and Sweden has led to a better nutritional state with respect to vitamin D than in the Netherlands. Therefore the dairy industry should be allowed to add vitamin D to dairy products to prevent fractures.