New research from scientists at Trinity College Dublin has revealed the challenges of achieving an ideal vitamin D status in diverse populations. Even with extensive research on the factors that affect vitamin D levels, deficiencies are still common. The researchers believe that their findings have important implications for creating personalized recommendations for vitamin D supplementation.The article was recently featured in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
Dr. Margaret M. Brennan, Research Assistant at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College, and the primary author, mentioned:
“We aim to bring attention to the significant variations in vitamin D levels among different ethnic groups living in northern latitudes and contribute to efforts to address the longstanding public health issue of vitamin D deficiency.”
The researchers examined the data of 500,000 participants from the United Kingdom (UK,) and calculated the individual vitamin D levels for each of them.
The estimated level of ambient ultraviolet-B (UVB), which is the wavelength of sunlight responsible for vitamin D synthesis in the skin, was visualized.
An in-depth analysis of the main factors affecting vitamin D and their interactions provided new insights. The first key finding is that ambient UVB plays a critical role in determining vitamin D levels, even in regions with limited sunlight like the UK. The second insight is that age, gender, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, and vitamin D supplementation have a significant impact on how individuals respond to UVB. For instance, as BMI and age increase, the production of vitamin D in the skin decreases.The response to UVB decreases. Professor Lina Zgaga, an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Trinity College’s School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of their findings. She stated that their research has major implications for customizing recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. This study emphasizes the shift from a universal approach to personalized strategies for improving vitamin D levels. Rasha Shraim, a PhD candidate at Trinity College, also co-led the investigation.The study also emphasizes the impact of natural environmental elements, such as sunlight, on our well-being. The researchers aim to inspire future studies and health organizations to consider these factors when addressing health and diseases. They anticipate that their work will contribute to the ongoing discussion on vitamin D supplementation guidelines.
