Application of plain vitamin D in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults resulting from vitamin D deficiency will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia and osteoporosis after aging.Therefore vitamin D supplement is one of the fundamental interventions to prevent and treat osteoporosis.The best index to determine an individual's vitamin D status is the serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D]which negatively predicts bone mineral density,and risks of fractures and falls.The optimal range of 25(OH)D concentration is 30～50 μg/L,while 20～30 μg/L is regarded as insufficiency,and less than 20 μg/L deficiency.The recommended dosage is 800～1000 U/d of plain vitamin D for healthy old people and up to 2000 U/d for people with osteoporosis,obesity,poor sun exposure,and malabsorption.