Switzerland’s government recently issued a recommendation that anyone over the age of 65 should take a daily vitamin D supplement containing 800 IU.
 
Published by the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) the guidance notes that vitamin D delivers benefits for bone and muscle health and can reduce the risk of falls and hip fractures by 30%. It also states that vitamin D supplementation can offer benefits in the areas of dental health, immune function, brain health, and heart health.
 
The flyer explains that it is difficult to achieve sufficient vitamin D intake through diet alone, and that it’s synthesized by the skin when exposed to sunlight. However, it states that about half of the population lacks adequate levels of vitamin D and warns that as people age, their ability to form vitamin D through the skin is reduced by 25%.
 
The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) welcomed Switzerland’s guidance, noting that it aligns well with its own advocacy in the Mind the Gap initiative, which includes similar recommendations to explore optimizing vitamin D intake, how vitamin D and good bone health can reduce fall risk, and an in-depth look at a successful vitamin D fortification program in Finland.
 
“We are pleased to see that Swiss government recognizes the importance of vitamin D and the role supplementation can play in ensuring that people consume enough of this essential nutrient,” Cynthia Rousselot, director of technical and regulatory affairs at IADSA, said. “IADSA will continue to engage with policy makers and other stakeholders worldwide to raise awareness of the role of supplementation in increasing levels of health and wellbeing.”