Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

Research results have shown that vitamin D deficiency can act as a factor in increasing the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Koreans’ vitamin D intake is only one-third of the recommended intake.

The research team (Dr. Hyuk-sin Kwak, Nae-hee Nae-hee, and Cho Ji-hyun Cho), professor of laboratory medicine at Korea University Ansan Hospital, surveyed 4,545 men and women (1,653 men and 2,892 women) aged 20 years or older who underwent health checkups at the Seoul Western Branch of the Korea Health Management Association between August and December 2021. This is the result of a targeted survey.

The research team measured the subjects’ serum ‘total 25-hydroxyvitamin D’ using an electrochemical luminescence immunoassay using a 25-hydroxyvitamin D kit (Roche Diagnostics, Germany). Additionally, the mental health questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin (HgA1c), total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, AST, ALT, γ -GT, creatinine levels were measured.

Based on this, serum vitamin D concentrations were compared according to gender and age group, and Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed between vitamin D and each chronic disease index.

As a result, serum vitamin D concentration was higher in women than in men, and increased with age. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (less than 10 ng/mL) was highest in people in their 20s for both men and women, and was especially significantly higher among women in their 20s. The proportion of low vitamin D concentrations below 30 ng/mL was 83.7% in men and 73.4% in women.

As a result of combining Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis, serum vitamin D concentration was inversely associated with waist circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, γ-GT, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels (respectively, P <0.001). On the other hand, serum vitamin D concentration showed a proportional relationship with HDL cholesterol level (P=0.002).

Professor Hye-ryeong Yoon said, “The lower the concentration of vitamin D, the higher the levels of indicators related to obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and fatty liver disease. This suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the incidence of metabolic syndrome.” The research results were published in ‘Laboratory Medicine Online’, the official journal of the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine.

Vitamin D is mainly synthesized in the skin through photochemical reactions of ultraviolet rays, so the best way to supplement it is to synthesize it in the body through sunlight. Foods rich in vitamin D are also helpful. Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel, orange juice, soy milk, cereal, cheese, egg yolk, and beef liver are good options. Vitamin D supplements are helpful in preventing and treating osteomalacia. If you are deficient in vitamin D, it is a good idea to take a supplement.