Evolution of the intake and nutritional recommendations of calcium and vitamin D for the last 14 years in Spain

Introduction: calcium and vitamin D are essential for the human being. Scientific evidence supports the correlation between both nutrients and their essential processes in the correct functioning of the human's organism, which is what justifies the increase of the recommended ingestion in Spain, since 2001 until nowadays. Objectives: to analyse the evolution on calcium and vitamin D ingestion related to the evolution of the Dietary Reference Intake, as well as its repercussion, since 2001 until nowadays. Design/Setting: a bibliographical search in major scientific data bases, PubMed, SciELO and EMBASE was conducted. Subjects: a review focused on the scientific literature on vitamin D and calcium, the evolution of its intake, changes in nutritional recommendations and the importance and consequences of these aspects. Results: actual ingestion of calcium and vitamin D, during this period of time, has decreased in Spain, reaching average consumption values below recommended. Conclusion: it may be necessary to increase the consumption of supplements and fortified foods, in some specific cases, in order to achieve the Dietary Reference Intake.