Relationships between Vitamin D Status and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in Young European Adults

Abstract

Background/Aims: To explore associations between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young European adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [s25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk in 195 healthy 20- to 40-year-olds (109 women) with a BMI between 27.5 and 32.5 from Iceland (64°N; n = 82), Ireland (51°N; n = 37) and Spain (42°N; n = 76) during mid-late winter. Results: The median s25(OH)D was 52.8 nmol/l (IQR 38.1–69.9) or 21.1 ng/ml (IQR 15.2–28.0) with a latitude-dependent gradient (p ≤ 0.0001): Iceland, 41.7 nmol/l (IQR 32.7–54.2) or 16.7 ng/ml (IQR 13.1–21.7); Ireland, 52.9 nmol/l (IQR 35.3–68.6) or 21.2 ng/ml (IQR 14.1–27.4), and Spain, 67.1 nmol/l (IQR 47.1–87.1) or 26.8 ng/ml (IQR 18.8–34.8). Eleven percent of Icelandic participants had s25(OH)D concentrations <25 nmol/l (10 ng/ml) and 66% of Icelandic, 43% of Irish, and 30% of Spanish volunteers had concentrations <50 nmol/l (20 ng/ml), respectively. Overall, 17% met 3 or more of the NCEP/ATP III criteria for cardio-metabolic syndrome (MetS). Participants in the lowest third of s25(OH)D [≤42.5 nmol/l (17 ng/ml)] were more likely to have MetS (OR 2.49, p = 0.045) and elevated TAG (OR 3.46, p = 0.019). Individuals with iPTH concentrations in the lowest third [2.34 pmol/l (22.2 pg/ml)] were more likely to have elevated fasting TAG (OR 4.17, p = 0.039), insulin (OR 3.15, p = 0.029) and HOMA-IR (OR 2.15, p = 0.031), and they were less likely to have elevated IL-6 (OR 0.24, p = 0.003). Conclusion: There were interactions between s25(OH)D, iPTH and cardio-metabolic risk factors which, given the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and a low vitamin D status among adults, require randomised controlled vitamin D intervention studies in overweight persons.

The risk of plasma vitamin A, C, E and D deficiency in patients with metabolic syndrome: a case-control study

“…Although vitamin D is not included among antioxidant vitamins, it has been shown from research studies carried out in different countries that vitamin D has an impact on the components of MS and its concentration in patients with metabolic disorders is significantly lower than in healthy individuals. 4,10 In our study, we attempted to assess the risk of deficiency of these vitamins in patients with MS.…”

Ultraviolet radiation, vitamin D and the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes

“…Reduced serum triglyceride levels were observed in those living closer to the equator (Spain) compared to more northerly populations in Iceland and Ireland who participated in a weight loss dietary intervention study. 71 The incidence of diabetes (mainly type-2) was affected by latitude in Canadian Inuit indigenous people, with the incidence decreasing with increasing latitude north of the equator 72 in a direction opposite to that observed by a previous study 71 . Further studies are required to examine the nature of the relationships between latitude and obesity, type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.…”

Association between Vitamin D Status and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors among Adults with and without Coronary Heart Disease in Saudi Arabia

“…It was noticed that few studies worldwide have focused on the association between vitamin D status and blood lipids in general, especially high cholesterol levels, even though they are the major risk factors for CHD [44]. Some studies reported significant association between low serum vitamin D levels and high triglycerides [33,45,46], but not with hypercholesterolemia. The possible explanation for our results is that all subjects in the current study were hospital-based patients; thus, if they have been clinically diagnosed with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, they would be on medication for those conditions.…”