Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D (IOM)

Summary

This Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, edited by Ross et al. (2011), represents a comprehensive evidence review and policy guideline establishing updated Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for calcium and vitamin D in the United States and Canada. The committee systematically evaluated available evidence on the relationships between these nutrients and health outcomes — primarily bone health — across all age groups and physiological states. The report concluded that most North Americans obtain adequate vitamin D and calcium, whilst setting revised reference values that have since been widely adopted and debated internationally.

UK applicability

Whilst this report was developed for a North American context under the US/Canadian DRI framework, its evidence base and reference values have informed UK and European nutrition policy, including guidance from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). The recommended intake levels and the underpinning evidence on vitamin D sufficiency thresholds are directly relevant to UK dietary guidelines, particularly given concerns about vitamin D deficiency in northern latitudes.

Key measures

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA, IU/day and mg/day); Adequate Intake (AI); Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL); serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (nmol/L); bone mineral density

Outcomes reported

The report established recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), adequate intakes (AIs), and tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for calcium and vitamin D across life stages and population groups. It also reviewed evidence on the roles of these nutrients in bone health and other health outcomes.

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