Study challenges one-size-fits-all approach to vitamin D supplementation guidelines

A recent study by scientists at Trinity College Dublin sheds light on the complexities of achieving optimal vitamin D status in various populations. Despite substantial research into the determinants of vitamin D, levels of vitamin D deficiency remain high.

The paper, “Environmental ultraviolet B radiation, supplements, and other factors interact to affect vitamin D status differently by ethnicity: a cross-sectional study,” was published in the journal. Clinical nutrition.

Dr Margaret M. Brennan, Research Assistant, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College School of Medicine and first author, said: “We hope this work can highlight the significant differences in vitamin D levels between different ethnic groups in northern latitudes and contribute to efforts to address the long-standing population health problem of vitamin D deficiency.”

The authors analyzed data from half a million participants in the United Kingdom (UK) and for each person, calculated the individualized estimate of the level of ambient ultraviolet B (UVB), which is the wavelength of the sunlight that induces the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin.

A comprehensive analysis of the key determinants of vitamin D and their interactions revealed new insights. The first key insight is that ambient UVB is emerging 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 people 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, Trinity College School of Medicine and Principal Investigator, said: “We believe our findings have significant implications for the development of personalized recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. Our study underscores the need to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach toward personalized strategies to optimize vitamin D status.”

Rasha Shraim, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of this study said: “Our study also highlights the effect that natural environmental factors, such as sunlight, can have on our health. We hope that our approach encourages future researchers and public health agencies to integrate these factors into their work on health and disease.”

The authors hope that their manuscript will contribute to the ongoing discourse on vitamin D supplementation guidelines.