Abstract
Background and AimsVitamin (Vit) D plays a vital role in human health, and the prevalence of Vit D deficiency worldwide has been a rising concern. This study investigates the serum 25-hydroxy-Vit D [25(OH)D] status in healthy US civilians and identifies how the two main sources, sun exposure and dietary Vit D intake, determine the final 25(OH)D levels in individuals.MethodsA total of 2,360 of participants from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2014 were analyzed. We divided the levels of sun exposure and dietary Vit D intake of all subjects into 10 strata and gave a score ranging from 1 to 10 points, respectively. Scores 1–5 in sun exposure and dietary intake were considered as relatively low exposure groups, whereas scores 6–10 were considered as relatively high exposure groups. Serum Vit D inadequacy was defined as <50 nmol/L. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between sources of Vit D and serum 25(OH)D levels.ResultsIn relatively low Vit D intake groups (Vit D intake score 1–5), relatively high sun exposure (sun exposure score >5) resulted in higher serum 25(OH)D levels (average 57 nmol/L) compared with relatively low sun exposure (sun exposure score <5) (average 50 nmol/L), whereas this difference became negligible in high intake groups (Vit D intake score 6–10). Moreover, the greatest slope occurred in the low Vit D intake curve (decile 3 of Vit D intake), which shows increased sun exposure time causing the greatest degree of change in serum 25(OH)D level in this group.ConclusionSun exposure can significantly make up for deficiencies in subjects who consume insufficient dietary Vit D. Compared with the extra cost and time for building habits of Vit D supplementation, moderate sun exposure appears to be a simple and costless means for the public to start in daily practice.
Highlights
Growing evidence on health effects brought by Vitamin (Vit) D in human has expanded from well-established benefits such as bone growth and calcium homeostasis [1] to protective roles in cardiovascular diseases [2], metabolic syndrome [3], autoimmune disorders [4], and malignancies [5]
They reported that most population (82%) who ingested vitamin D only from food and beverages achieved an average of 4.8 mcg/day of dietary Vit D intake, whereas minor proportion (28%) who took dietary Vit D supplement could achieve an average of 19.9 mcg/day of dietary Vit D intake
Vitamin D inadequacy is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes and deserves public awareness
Summary
Growing evidence on health effects brought by Vitamin (Vit) D in human has expanded from well-established benefits such as bone growth and calcium homeostasis [1] to protective roles in cardiovascular diseases [2], metabolic syndrome [3], autoimmune disorders [4], and malignancies [5]. It reiterates the importance of the two main sources of Vit D, cutaneous photosynthesis, and diet, and brings the long-lasting “Vit D controversy” to the fore [6]. This study investigates the serum 25-hydroxy-Vit D [25(OH)D] status in healthy US civilians and identifies how the two main sources, sun exposure and dietary Vit D intake, determine the final 25(OH)D levels in individuals
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