We are pleased to now offer lab tests from both LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. Click here to see All Tests.

Private MD News

Home | News | Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Genetic factors influence vitamin D status during winter months

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Individuals who have family members that have shown signs of nutrient deficiencies may want to consider vitamin D testing. Recent research has shown that genetic factors play an important role in the body's levels of the nutrient during the winter months.

In recent years, study after study has found new benefits from high levels of vitamin D. However, due to the fact that it is produced in the skin following exposure to the sun, levels generally drop during the winter. According to the new study, this is particularly true for individuals of a certain genotype.

After examining the vitamin D status of twins living in separate cities, the investigators found that exposure to sunlight during the winter months play only a small role in individuals' levels. Instead, they found that pairs of twins tended to have roughly the same levels, indicating a genetic component to vitamin D status.

"Over the past couple decades, nutrition scientists have discovered that maintaining optimal vitamin D status is important for much more than keeping our bones strong," said Shelly McGuire, spokesperson for the American Society of Nutrition. "This study suggests that, whereas genetic differences impact winter vitamin D status, lifestyle choices and sun exposure predominant in the summer months."
 

Related Articles from Private MD:

• Low levels of vitamin D may increase risk of obesity
  
• Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of osteoporosis in IBD patients
  
• Orthopedic surgery patients may benefit from vitamin D testing before their procedure
  
• Vitamin D testing becomes more important in winter
  
• Study finds link between vitamin D deficiency and depression
  

Share on Facebook

Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed:

News Categories:

Advanced Lipid Treatment I   Allergy Testing   Anemia and RBC disorders   Autoimmune Diseases   Bariatric Lab Testing   Blood and Blood Diseases   Breast   Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers   Celiac Disease Testing   Chlamydia   Coagulation and blood clotting disorders   Colon   Diabetes   DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing   Drug Screening   Environmental Toxin Testing   Female Specific Tests   Gastrointestinal Diseases   General Health   General Wellness   Heart Health and Cholesterol   Herpes   HIV   HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos   Hormones and Metabolism   Infectious Diseases   Infertility Testing-Male   Infertitlity Hormone Testing   Kidney Diseases   Leukemia and WBC disorders   Liver   Liver Diseases   Lyme Disease   Male Specific Tests   Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis   Musculoskeletal Diseases   Nicotine Screening   Organ Specific Testing   Ovarian   Prostate   Sexually Transmitted Diseases   Thyroid Diseases   Transgender Hormone Testing-female to male   Transgender Hormone Testing-Male to Female   Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment   

Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here

Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click here to get started or call us toll-free at 1.877.283.7882. Our professionals are ready to assist you.

Back to top