scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation is Associated with Slower Epigenetic Aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Max Vetter ◽  
Yasmine Sommerer ◽  
Christian Humberto Kalies ◽  
Dominik Spira ◽  
Lars Bertram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Epigenetic Aging ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Dna Methylation Age ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin ◽  
Age Range

AbstractAdverse effects of low vitamin D level on mortality and morbidity are controversially discussed. Especially older people are at risk for vitamin D deficiency and therefore exposed to its potentially harmful influence on the aging process. A way of measuring differences in the biological age is through DNA methylation age (DNAm age) and its deviation from chronological age, DNAm age acceleration (DNAmAA). We previously reported on an association between vitamin D deficiency and higher 7-CpG DNAmAA in participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II).In this study, we employ a quasi-interventional study design to assess the relationship between DNAmAA of five epigenetic clocks and vitamin D supplementation. Longitudinal data were available for 1,036 participants of BASE-II that were reexamined on average 7.4 years later in the GendAge study (mean age at follow-up: 75.6 years, SD = 3.8 years, age range: 64.9 – 94.1 years, 51.9 % female). DNAmAA was estimated with the 7-CpG clock, Horvath’s clock, Hannum’s clock, PhenoAge and GrimAge. Methylation data were obtained through methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SNuPE) or Illumina’s Infinium “MethylationEPIC” array.Vitamin D deficient participants who chose to start vitamin D supplementation after baseline examination showed a 2.6 year lower 7-CpG DNAmAA (p=0.011) and 1.3-year lower Horvath DNAmAA (p=0.042) compared to untreated and vitamin D deficient participants. DNAmAA did not statistically differ between participants with successfully treated vitamin D deficiency and healthy controls (p>0.16).Therefore, we conclude that intake of vitamin D supplement is associated with lower DNAmAA in participants with vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, our findings suggest that sufficient vitamin D supplementation can compensate and potentially reverse the increase in 7-CpG DNAmAA that we found in in vitamin D deficient participants.

scholarly journals Age As an Independent Clinical Predictor for Vitamin D Deficiency in Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1385-1385
Author(s):  
Jin Han ◽  
Santosh L. Saraf ◽  
Taimur Abbasi ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Robert E. Molokie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Creatinine Clearance ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Cell Disease

Abstract Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is highly prevalent among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Although little is known about the risk factors for VDD in SCD, it has been shown that VDD is associated with chronic pain, bone fragility, and pulmonary function in SCD. In this study we investigated the potential clinical predictors for VDD in patients with SCD. Method: In a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis, a total of 167 adults with SCD treated at the University of Illinois Medical Center with a baseline 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) measurement were screened. Clinical variables were recorded from a clinic visit at least four weeks from a vaso-occlusive pain episode or red blood cell transfusion. Statistical association between 25-OHD and other clinical parameters were investigated. Results: After stratifying the patients based on 25-OHD levels, we observed the median age was significantly younger in patients with lower 25-OHD levels (Table 1). When analyzing different age groups by Kruskal Wallis analysis, 25-OHD levels were significantly elevated in patients ≥ 40 years old (Figure 1). When using Spearman correlation analysis, the 25-OHD levels as a continuous variable positively correlated with increasing age (p<0.001); they also showed a significant negative relationships with creatinine clearance, total bilirubin, platelet count, and white blood cell count (Table 2). Using ordinal logistic regression, age was an independent predictor of 25-OHD levels, as a three-categorical variable, in SCD (OR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.38 – 0.81; p =0.002) after adjusting for gender, creatinine clearance, and vitamin D supplementation (Table 3), which means that younger patients has higher chance of VDD. In the patients with VDD (25-OHD <20 ng/mL), weekly supplementation with oral ergocalciferol (50,000 units for twelve weeks) substantially improved 25-OHD levels (9.9 vs 23.7 ng/mL, p<0.0001, N=24). During a median of 40-month follow-up (range 0 to 96 months), thirteen patients died, but the log rank test or multivariate Cox regression analysis failed to show statistical significance between 25-OHD levels and mortality after adjusting ESRD and baseline vitamin D supplementation, likely due to a short follow-up period and a small sample size. Summary: Lower 25-OHD levels were associated with younger age in patients with SCD, especially patients younger than 40 years old. One possible explanation is that lower 25-OHD levels may be linked to higher mortality in SCD, but future research is needed to clarify the association between VDD and mortality in SCD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Low Vitamin D Levels Predict Mortality in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1400
Author(s):  
Niv Ben-Shabat ◽  
Abdulla Watad ◽  
Aviv Shabat ◽  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Doron Comaneshter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
All Cause Mortality

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D deficiency on all-cause mortality in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and in the general population. This is a retrospective-cohort study based on the electronic database of the largest health-maintenance organization in Israel. AS patients who were first diagnosed between 2002–2007 were included. Controls were matched by age, gender and enrollment-time. Follow-up continued until death or end of study follow-up on 1 July 2019. Laboratory measures of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels during the entire follow-up period were obtained. A total of 919 AS patients and 4519 controls with a mean time of follow-up of 14.3 years were included. The mean age at the time of enrollment was 52 years, and 22% of them were females. AS was associated with a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio 1.27 [95% confidence-interval (CI) 1.03–1.58]). In AS patients, insufficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL) were significantly associated with increased incidence of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.59 [95% CI 1.02–2.50]). This association was more prominent with the decrease in vitamin D levels (< 20 ng/mL, HR 1.63 [95% CI 1.03–2.60]; <10 ng/mL, HR 1.79 [95% CI 1.01–3.20]) and among male patients (<30 ng/mL, HR 2.11 [95% CI 1.20–3.72]; <20 ng/mL, HR 2.12 [95% CI 1.19–3.80]; <10 ng/mL, HR 2.23 [95% CI 1.12–4.43]). However, inadequate levels of vitamin D among controls were not associated with an increased all-cause mortality. Our study has shown that vitamin D deficiency is more common in AS patients than controls and is linked to an increased risk for all-cause mortality. These results emphasize the need for randomized-controlled trials to evaluate the benefits of vitamin D supplementation as a secondary prevention of mortality in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Clinically sufficient vitamin D levels at breast cancer diagnosis and survival outcomes in a prospective cohort of 3,995 patients after a median follow-up of 10 years.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10510-10510
Author(s):  
Song Yao ◽  
Haiyang Sheng ◽  
Marilyn L. Kwan ◽  
Qianqian Zhu ◽  
Janise M. Roh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Stage Disease ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin

10510 Background: There have been suggestive findings for better cancer survival with vitamin D supplementation in the recent VITAL trial. The findings are consistent with meta-analyses based on earlier randomized trials testing daily supplement vitamin D intake. As there is no ongoing or planned randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation in sight for women after breast cancer diagnosis, we evaluated relationships between serum levels of vitamin D and breast cancer outcomes in a large prospective cohort of breast cancer survivors. Methods: We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in serum samples collected at the time of diagnosis from 3,995 women with incident breast cancer enrolled in the Pathways Study, a large prospective cohort established in 2006 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California with active follow-up (FU). Potential determinants of 25OHD levels, including a polygenic score, were examined. Vitamin D levels were categorized based on clinical cutoffs as deficient ( < 20 ng/ml), insufficient (20 to < 30 ng/ml), or sufficient (≥30 ng/ml). These levels were then evaluated in relation to overall survival (OS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and invasive disease-free survival (IDFS). Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for non-clinical, clinical, and treatment factors and were further stratified by stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Vitamin D supplement use, lower BMI, and self-reported white race were the strongest determinants of higher 25OHD levels. The polygenic score was significantly associated with 25OHD levels but explained only 0.3% of the variance. The median FU was 9.6 years (range: 0.3-13). Compared to those with deficient vitamin D levels, patients with sufficient levels had significantly better survival outcomes, which remained after controlling for various covariates (OS: HR [95% CI] = 0.73 [0.58-0.91]; BCSS: HR = 0.78 [0.56-1.09]; RFS: HR = 0.79 [0.65-0.97]; IDFS: HR = 0.82 [0.68-0.99]). Associations were similar by ER status, but stronger among patients with more advanced stage disease and those with under-weight or normal BMI. Black patients had the lowest 25OHD levels, which contributed to their poorer survival compared to white patients. Adding 25OHD levels to the Cox model of OS lowered the HR associated with Black vs. white race from 2.03 (1.57-2.62) to 1.79 (1.37-2.32). Conclusions: Sufficient vitamin D levels at the time of diagnosis were associated with improved breast cancer prognosis. Consistent with results from randomized trials, our findings from a large observational cohort of breast cancer survivors with long FU provide the strongest evidence to date for maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels in breast cancer patients, including among Black women and those with more advanced stage disease.

scholarly journals Vitamin D supplementation and strontium ranelate absorption in postmenopausal women with low bone mass

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Vilaça ◽  
Marília Brasílio Rodrigues Camargo ◽  
Olguita Ferreira Rocha ◽  
Marise Lazaretti-Castro
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Strontium Ranelate ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin

BackgroundStrontium ranelate is used to treat osteoporosis. Calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr) have common chemical features and are absorbed by the same pathways. Vitamin D has a main role in calcium intestinal absorption. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D status is a determinant of strontium ranelate absorption.MethodsTwenty-five patients with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D<50 nmol/l) and 25 with vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D>75 nmol/l) underwent a 4-h oral Sr overload test. Sr absorption was evaluated as the fraction of absorbed dose and the area under the curve. After the baseline overload test, the deficient patients were treated until reaching sufficient vitamin D levels (25(OH)D>75 nmol/l) and the test was repeated.ResultsChanging vitamin D status from deficient to sufficient resulted in a significant increase in 1,25(OH)2D (24.97±4.64×34.62±9.14 pg/ml,P<0.001) and a reduction in parathyroid hormone (73.87±37.50×58.24±20.13 pg/ml,P=0.006). Nevertheless, no differences were found in the parameters used to evaluate Sr absorption between the vitamin D deficient and sufficient groups. In addition, vitamin D3 replacement in the deficient group did not result in enhanced Sr absorption.ConclusionVitamin D status did not interfere with strontium ranelate absorption. Taking into account the benefits of adequate vitamin D status in osteoporotic patients, we strongly recommend the treatment of vitamin D deficiency. However, the data demonstrate that such treatment does not enhance strontium ranelate absorption in patients with mild deficiency.

Evidence of a possible therapeutic role of vitamin D in a cohort of adult Caucasian vitiligo patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 200-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Colucci ◽  
Rossana Conti ◽  
Federica Dragoni ◽  
Allegra Cammi ◽  
Luisella Cianferotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin

Abstract. Reduced serum 25(OH)D levels have been largely reported in vitiligo, which is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the appearance of achromic macules. Since vitamin D can positively modulate immune function and stimulate melanogenesis in vitro, a possible role of sufficient vitamin D levels in promoting the stability of the disease and repigmentation process might be hypothesized in vitiligo. Hence, we conducted an observational study on medical records related to 101 vitiligo patients, in order to correlate baseline 25(OH)D levels with the baseline vitiligo activity and repigmentation of vitiligo macules on a 6-month follow-up. According to our results, at baseline we found that active vitiligo was significantly associated with 25(OH)D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL) (P = 0.036) or insufficiency (21–29 ng/mL) (P = 0.041), while stable disease was significantly associated with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (30–100 ng/mL) (P = 0.043). After 6 months, vitiligo patients with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (30–100 ng/mL) achieved a significantly higher degree of repigmentation. In conclusion, our study provides a novel evidence of a significant positive association of sufficient 25(OH)D levels with the stability of the disease and a satisfactory repigmentation process in Caucasian adult vitiligo patients and strengthen the need to assess vitamin D status in vitiligo. The correlation between sufficient vitamin D levels and a satisfactory course of the disease opens the way for future randomized controlled trials assessing a possible beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation on vitiligo.

SEASONAL VARIATION IN VITAMIN D STATUS AMONG FRAIL OLDER HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
M. POURHASSAN ◽  
R. WIRTH
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin

Background and objectives: Seasonal variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels is the result of sunlight dependent skin synthesis of vitamin D. However, its presence is not studied in frail older hospitalized patients. We sought to investigate whether seasonal variation in 25(OH)D levels is evident among these patients. Design and setting: This study investigated older participants who were consecutively admitted between February 2015 and December 2016 to the geriatric acute care ward. Results of routine measurements of 25(OH)D at hospital admission were retrospectively analyzed and stratified according to months and seasons. Previous intake of vitamin D supplementation was derived from the patients’ medical records. Results: The study group comprised 679 participants (mean age 82.1±8.2; 457 females), of which 78% had vitamin D deficiency. Older individuals not taking vitamin D supplements had a lower mean serum 25(OH)D than those receiving supplements. Of those patients with no vitamin D supplementation, 87.0% were vitamin D deficient and only 5% showing sufficient vitamin 25(OH)D. Further, there were neither monthly nor seasonal variations in vitamin 25(OH)D levels among these patients and their vitamin D levels stayed far below the recommended threshold of 20 ng/ml across the seasons. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was very prevalent in the subgroup of older hospitalized patients without vitamin D supplementation, irrespective of season. Since no seasonal variations in mean 25(OH)D levels was observed, sunlight dependent skin synthesis is unlikely to contribute to vitamin D status in these patients. Supplementation seems to be necessary to maintain desirable vitamin D levels among this population throughout the year.

scholarly journals Vitamin D supplementation does not prevent the recurrence of Graves’ disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Young Cho ◽  
Yun Jae Chung
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Disease Recurrence ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Supplements ◽  
One Year ◽  
Sufficient Vitamin

AbstractRecent literature has reported a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among people with Graves’ disease. No study has examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the clinical outcomes of Graves’ disease. We aimed to evaluate whether daily vitamin D supplementation reduces Graves’ disease recurrence. We enrolled 210 subjects with Graves’ disease and vitamin D deficiency and followed them for at least one year after anti-thyroid drug (ATD) discontinuation. Among 210 individuals, 60 (29%) were amenable to taking vitamin D supplements, resulting in sufficient vitamin D levels (from 10.6 to 25.7 ng/mL), whereas the mean vitamin D level was 11.6 ng/mL in the 150 patients who did not take vitamin D supplements. The recurrence rate was similar in both groups (38% vs. 49%, P = 0.086). However, recurrence occurred earlier in the latter group (7 months vs. 5 months, P = 0.016). In the multivariate analysis, vitamin D levels and TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) titers at ATD discontinuation remained significant factors for recurrence. Vitamin D levels and TBII titers at ATD discontinuation exhibited a weak negative correlation (R = −0.143, P = 0.041). Vitamin D supplementation might have a protective effect against Graves’ disease recurrence with a borderline significant recurrence rate reduction.

Abstract P012: The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Epigenetic Aging: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
Yanbin Dong ◽  
Jigar Bhagatwala ◽  
Anas Raed ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
P Value ◽  
Epigenetic Aging ◽  
Dna Methylation Age

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. We have previously shown that vitamin D plays a role in regulating human epigenome. Moreover, we have demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation increases telomerase activity, suggesting an anti-aging property. Epigenetic age acceleration, an emerging marker of biological aging, predicts cardiovascular mortality, morbidity and cancer. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation would decelerate epigenetic aging. Methods: We have previously completed a 16 week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D3 supplementation in overweight/obese African-Americans (NCT01583621). The participants were randomly assigned into four groups of placebo, 600 IU/day, 2000 IU/day, and 4000 IU/day of vitamin D supplements. A genome-wide methylation scan was performed using the Illumina Human Methylation 480K Bead Chip on peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA. DNA methylation age of 52 participants was determined based on 353 CpG sites using the statistical pipeline developed by Horvath. Epigenetic aging, methylation-based age acceleration index (Δage) was defined as the difference between DNA methylation age and chronological age in years. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the treatment effects. Results: DNAm age was significantly correlated with chronological age (r=0.9082, p-value < 0.001). The correlation was higher at baseline (r=0.9281, p-value < 0.001) than at 16 weeks (r=0.8887, p-value < 0.001), which implies that the 16 week treatment may drive the DNAm age deviated from the chronological age. Compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation was also associated with decreased Δage after adjustment for sex, BMI, lymphocyte percentage, month and baseline 25(OH)D concentration (600 IU/day: β = 0.90, p-value = 0.325; 2000 IU/day: β= -1.21, p-value = 0.118; 4000 IU/day: β= -1.70, p-value = 0.035), but only the treatment effect of 4000 IU/day supplementation was significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest that vitamin D supplementation might decelerate epigenetic aging, further supporting the anti-aging effect of vitamin D supplementation in overweight/obese African Americans. Larger studies are needed to replicate the findings.

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 623-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatem Hamed Elshorbagy ◽  
Naglaa Fathy Barseem ◽  
Waleed Elsayed Abdelghani ◽  
Hany Abdelaziz Ibrahim Suliman ◽  
Ashraf Hamed Al-shokary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: The role of nutrients and dietary factors in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remains unclear. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate the serum vitamin D level in children with a diagnosis of ADHD. The secondary objective was to detect the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cognitive function in those with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: A total of 50 children with ADHD and 40 healthy controls were included in the study. We measured the serum level of vitamin D. Patients with vitamin D deficiency were subdivided into 2 groups: one with vitamin D supplementation and the other without vitamin D supplementation. Further assessment and follow-up of children with ADHD was done. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were performed at baseline and follow-up in all cohorts with an ADHD diagnosis. Results: The diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency was significantly greater in children with ADHD compared with the control group ( P < 0.05). Children with ADHD had significantly ( P = 0.0009) lower values of serum vitamin D (17.23 ± 8.98) than the control group(31.47 ± 14.42). The group receiving vitamin D supplementation demonstrated improvement in cognitive function in the conceptual level, inattention, opposition, hyperactivity, and impulsivity domains. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in children with ADHD may improve cognitive function.

Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency and Challenges in Developing Global Vitamin D Fortification and Supplementation Policy in Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Ben-Shoshan
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Societal Burden ◽  
Time Period ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
In Cis

This review summarizes studies discussing vitamin D status in adults and reveals that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is highly prevalent in adults and that current fortification and supplementation policies are inadequate. Background and aims: Studies suggest a crucial role for adequate vitamin D status in various health conditions including bone metabolism, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies. However, relatively little is known about poor vitamin D status and unmet needs in adults. This report aims to highlight the contribution of epidemiologic studies (through the identification of health effects and societal burden) to the development of vitamin D fortification and supplementation policies and reveal unmet global challenges in adults. Methods: In order to assess worldwide vitamin D status in adults, the search strategy combined the medical literature database MEDLINE (using PubMed) for the time period between January 1, 1980 and February 28, 2011, using the key words “vitamin D” “deficiency” and “insufficiency”, and included articles in which access to full text was possible and in which healthy adults were assessed according to one of four commonly used vitamin D threshold classifications. Results: This report reveals that vitamin D deficiency occurs in 4.10 % [95 % CI (confidence interval), 3.93 %, 4.27 %] to 55.05 % (54.07 %, 56.03 %) of adults, while insufficiency occurs in 26.07 % (24.82 %, 27.33 %) to 78.50 % (77.85 %, 79.16 %), depending on the classification used. However, lack of overlap in CIs and high value of I2 statistics indicate considerable heterogeneity between studies. Further, certain populations (i. e. dark-skinned individuals, immigrants, and pregnant women) may be at higher risk for poor vitamin D status. Conclusion: Current policies for vitamin D supplementation and fortification are inadequate and new guidelines are required to improve vitamin D status in adults.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document