Genetics Determine Winter Vitamin D Status

In this article, it talks about the importance of Vitamin D. Vitamin D can be influenced by genetics, skin color, and sun exposure. It can be made in body from Sunlight or added by fortification in food. Reports of greater than expected vitamin D insufficiency coupled with emerging evidence that higher circulating concentrations of this nutrient may protect against cardiovascular disease have prompted a renewed interest in teasing out how environment, genetics, and behavior work independently and coordinately to influence vitamin D status.
To better understand and explain this, researchers from Emory University studied vitamin D status in twins living in different North American locations. Shelley McGuire, spokesperson for American Society for Nutrition mentions that vitamin is much more important than keeping the bones strong. It can help us protect against diseases such as heart disease and cancer and can helps us keep our body healthy. The result of Karohl study says that in winter vitamin D status is affected by the genetic differences and during summer time the vitamin D is mostly affected by non-genetic factors such as lifestyle choices and sun exposure. This article is interesting because it provides very useful information. I was not aware that Vitamin D in winter was affected by genetic differences. It also gives useful information for further studies.