A new study from Trinity College Dublin sheds light on the complexities of achieving optimal vitamin D status across diverse populations. The study, which was recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, showed that individual factors like age, sex and body mass index significantly affected vitamin D levels generated from sunlight exposure.
Despite substantial research on the determinants of vitamin D, levels of vitamin D deficiency remain high. Dr Margaret M. Brennan, Research Assistant, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College and first author, said:
“We hope this work can highlight the significant differences in vitamin D levels among different ethnic groups at northern latitudes and contribute to efforts to address the long-standing population health issue of vitamin D deficiency.”
The authors analysed data from half a million participants from the United Kingdom (UK,) and for each person, they calculated the individualised estimate of ambient ultraviolet-B (UVB) level, which is the wavelength of sunlight that induces vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
A comprehensive analysis of key determinants of vitamin D and their interactions revealed novel insights. The first key insight is that ambient UVB emerges as a critical predictor of vitamin D status, even in a place like the UK, which receives relatively little sunlight. The second is that age, sex, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, and vitamin D supplementation significantly influence how individuals respond to UVB. For example, as BMI and age increase, the amount of vitamin D produced in response to UVB decreases.
Professor Lina Zgaga, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College and the principal investigator, said:
“We believe our findings have significant implications for the development of tailored recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. Our study underscores the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach towards personalised strategies for optimising vitamin D status.”
Source: Trinity College Dublin
