A study conducted by Genotek has shown that susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency varies significantly among Russian populations and ethnic groups, with genetics playing a major role in determining how effectively the body converts this vitamin into its active form, calciferol.
"The data we obtained helps identify which population groups may have an increased susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency, particularly in northern latitudes that lack sufficient sunlight," noted Alexander Rakitko, Chief Scientific Officer at Genotek. "Understanding this will enable dietary modifications or preventive supplementation when needed."
The study revealed that the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency depends on the presence of a specific genetic variant (rs10741657) in the CYP2R1 gene, which reduces the efficiency of converting vitamin D to its active form. The analysis results indicated that people who carry this variant are 42% more likely to develop a deficiency, which can negatively impact their health.
The researchers analyzed genetic testing data from more than 166,000 Russians of various ethnicities and regions to identify the groups in which this genetic mutation is most prevalent. The results showed:
Those most susceptible to the genetic variant are Ashkenazi Jews, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Circassians, Chuvash, Udmurts, and Bashkirs, with mutation carrier rates exceeding 50% in some groups.
Least affected: Buryatians (32.29%), Russians (32.97%), with slight differences between northern Russians (33.97%) and southern Russians (33.19%).
Scientists hope that understanding the prevalence of this genetic variant will contribute to the development of better prevention strategies for vitamin D deficiency at the individual and population levels.
The importance of vitamin D:
Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in:
Immune system functionMaintaining healthy bones and teeth
Previous studies have shown that its deficiency is linked to a greater risk of heart attacks, the development of multiple sclerosis, and the effects of alcohol on the brain, prompting scientists to study the effect of this vitamin on various tissues in the human body and laboratory animals.
