Genome-wide association study of circulating vitamin D levels
Jiyoung Ahn, Kai Fun Yu, Rachael Z. Stolzenberg‐Solomon, K. Claire Simon, Marjorie L. McCullough, Lisa M. Gallicchio, Eric J. Jacobs, Alberto Ascherio, Kathy J. Helzlsouer, Kevin B. Jacobs, Qizhai Li, Stephanie J. Weinstein, Mark P. Purdue, Jarmo R. K. Virtamo, Ronald L. Horst, William Wheeler, Stephen Jacob Chanock, David J. Hunter, Richard B. Hayes, Peter Kraft, Demetrius Albanes · Human Molecular Genetics (2010)
TL;DR
Studies suggest that specific differences in human genes may help explain why blood levels of vitamin D vary between people.
What they did
Researchers studied genetic data from 4501 persons of European ancestry across five cohorts. They tested whether common genetic differences were linked to vitamin D levels in the blood. They then checked these findings in 2221 additional samples.
What they found
The team confirmed strong links between vitamin D levels and variations in three gene regions, named GC, NADSYN1/DHCR7, and CYP2R1. In the combined analysis, the statistical values were P=1.8x10(-49) for GC, P=3.4x10(-9) for NADSYN1/DHCR7, and P=2.9x10(-17) for CYP2R1. A fourth region called C10orf88 was not confirmed, with P=2.4x10(-5).
Why it matters
These findings suggest that a person’s genes may influence how the body makes or carries vitamin D. This research is linked to a better understanding of why people eating similar foods may still have different vitamin D levels. Studies suggest that individual biology may play a key role alongside daily food choices.
Limits
The study only looked at persons of European ancestry, and the abstract does not discuss other study limits. This is general education, not medical advice.
Jargon explained
- 25(OH)D
- The main form of vitamin D measured in the bloodstream.
- Gene
- A section of DNA that gives instructions for how the body works.
- GWAS
- A study that scans DNA across many people to find genetic patterns linked to specific traits.
Read the original: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddq155
Full citation
Jiyoung Ahn, Kai Fun Yu, Rachael Z. Stolzenberg‐Solomon, K. Claire Simon, Marjorie L. McCullough, Lisa M. Gallicchio, Eric J. Jacobs, Alberto Ascherio, Kathy J. Helzlsouer, Kevin B. Jacobs, Qizhai Li, Stephanie J. Weinstein, Mark P. Purdue, Jarmo R. K. Virtamo, Ronald L. Horst, William Wheeler, Stephen Jacob Chanock, David J. Hunter, Richard B. Hayes, Peter Kraft, Demetrius Albanes (2010). Genome-wide association study of circulating vitamin D levels. Human Molecular Genetics. DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddq155
Open access (hybrid): https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddq155
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Educational information only, not medical or dietary advice. Consult a qualified health professional for personal nutrition guidance.