Skip to main content

Effects of Vitamin D on Bone and Natural Selection of Skin Color: How Much Vitamin D Nutrition are We Talking About?

  • Chapter
Bone Loss and Osteoporosis

Abstract

Until the 1990s, the criterion for appropriate vitamin D nutrition was simply the absence of overt rickets or osteomalacia (Blumberg et al., 1963). Now, circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are the appropriate measure of vitamin D nutritional status (Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, 1997). It is now possible to make more quantitative comparisons of vitamin D nutrition through primate and human evolution, and to draw inferences about how differences in vitamin D nutrition may have affected susceptibility to disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adams, J.E., Gacad, M.A., Baker, A.J., and Rude, R.K. (1985). Serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Platyrrhini and Cathrrhini: A phylogenetic appraisal. Am. J. Primalol. 9, 219–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al Arabi, K.M., Elidrissy, A.W., and Sedrani, S.H. (1984). Is avoidance of sunlight a cause of fractures of the femoral neck in elderly Saudis? Trop. Geogr. Med. 36, 273–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alagol, F., Shihadeh. Y., Boztepe, H., Tanakol, R., Yarman, S., Azizlerli, H., and Sandalci, O. (2000). Sunlight exposure and vitamin D deficiency in Turkish women. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 23, 173–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Better, O.S., Shabtai, M., Kedar, S., Melamud, A., Berenheim, J., and Chaimovitz, C. (1980). Increased incidence of nephrolithiasis in lifeguards in Isreal. In S.G. Massry, E. Ritz, and G. Jahreis (eds), Phosphate and Minerals in Health and Disease. Plenum Press, New York, pp. 467–472.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bicknell, F. and Prescott, F. (1946). Vitamin D. The antirachitic or calcifying vitamin. In F. Bicknell and F. Prescott (eds), Vitamins in Medicine. Whitefriars Press, London, pp. 630–707.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bikle, D.D. and Pillai, S. (1993). Vitamin D, calcium, and epidermal differentiation. Endocr. Rev. 14, 3–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumberg, R.W, Forbes, G.B., Fraser, D., Hansen, A.E., Lowe, C.U., Smith, N.J., Sweeney, M.J., and Fomon, S.J. (1963). The prophylactic requirement and the toxicity of vitamin D. Pediatrics 31, 512–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, K.J. and Zhao, L. (1999). Forgotten mysteries in the early history of vitamin D. J. Nutr. 129, 923–927.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, T.Y. (2000). Vitamin D deficiency and susceptibility to tuberculosis. Calcif. Tissue Int. 66, 476–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapuy, M.C., Arlot, M.E., Duboeuf, F., Brun, J., Crouzet, B., Arnaud, S., Delmas, P.D., and Meunier, P.J. (1992). Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in the elderly women. N. Engl. J. Med. 327, 1637–1642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chel, V.G., Ooms, M.E., Popp-Snijders, C, Pavel, S., Schothorst, A.A., Meulemans, C.C., and Lips, P. (1998). Ultraviolet irradiation corrects vitamin D deficiency and suppresses secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly. J. Bone Miner. Res. 13, 1238–1242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chesney, R.W., Hamstra, A.J., and DeLuca, H.F. (1981). Rickets of prematurity: Supranormal levels of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Am. J. Dis. Child. 135, 34–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davie, M.W., Lyawson, D.E., Emberson, C, Barnes, J.L., Roberts, G.E., and Barnes, N.D. (1982). Vitamin D from skin: Contribution to vitamin D status compared with oral vitamin D in normal and anticonvulsanttreated subjects. Clin. Sci. 63, 461–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson-Hughes, B., Dallai, G.E., Krall, E.A., Harris, S., Sokoll, L.J., and Falconer, G. (1991). Effect of vitamin D supplementation on wintertime and overall bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Ann. Int. Med. 115, 505–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson-Hughes, B., Harris, S.S., Krall, E.A., and Dallai, G.E. (1997). Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone density in men and women 65 years of age or older. N. Engl. J. Med. 337, 670–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dent, C.E., Round, J.M., Rowe, D.J., and Stamp, T.C. (1973). Effect of chapattis and ultraviolet irradiation on nutritional rickets in an Indian immigrant. Lancet 1, 1282–1284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, A.S., Ali, S., and Bakhshi, S.S. (1998). Does vitamin D deficiency account for ethnic differences in tuberculosis seasonality in the UK? Ethn. Health 3, 247–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dusso, A., Finch, J., Delmez, J., Rapp, N., Lopez-Hilker, S., Brown, A., and Slatopolsky, E. (1990). Extrarenal production of calcitriol. Kidney Int. Suppl. 29, S36–S40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, S.B. and Nelson, D.A. (1991). Calcium in evolutionary perspective. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 54, 281S–287S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emhry, A.F., Snowdon, L.R., and Vieth, R. (2000). Vitamin D and seasonal fluctuations of gadolinium-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging lesions in multiple sclerosis. Ann. Neurol. 48, 271–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eva, J.K. (1999). Vitamin D supplement in early childhood and risk for Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The EURODIAB Substudy 2 Study Group. Diabetologia 42, 51–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falkenbach, A., Unkelbach, U., Boehm, B.O., Regeniter, A., Stein, J., Seiffert, U., and Wendt, T. (1993). Bone metabolism before and after irradiation with ultraviolet light. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 66, 55–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiennes, R.N. (1974). Problems of rickets in monkeys and apes. Proc. R. Soc. Med. 67, 309–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca, V, Tongia, R., el Hazmi, M., and Abu-Aisha, H. (1984). Exposure to sunlight and vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabian women. Postgrad. Med. J. 60, 589–591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, D.R. (1983). The physiological economy of vitamin D. Lancet I, 969–972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuleihan, G.E. and Deeb, M. (1999). Hypovitaminosis D in a sunny country. N. Engl. J. Med. 340, 1840-1841. Fuller, K. (2000). Lactose, rickets, and the coevolution of genes and culture. Hum. Ecol. 28, 471–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gacad, M.A. and Adams, J.S. (1992). Specificity of steroid binding in New World primate B95-8 cells with a vitamin D-resistant phenotype. Endocrinology 131, 2581–2587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garabedian, M., Bainsel, M., Mallet, E., Guillozo, H., Toppet, M., Grimherg, R., NGuen, T.M., and Balsan, S. (1983). Circulating vitamin D metabolite concentrations in children with nutritional rickets. J. Pediatr. 103, 381–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garland, C.F., Garland, F.C., and Gorham, E.D. (1999). Calcium and vitamin D. Their potential roles in colon and breast cancer prevention. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 889, 107–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gessner, B.D., deSchweinitz, E., Peterscn. K.M., and Lewandowski, C. (1997). Nutritional rickets among breastfed black and Alaska Native children. Alaska Med. 39, 72–74, 87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haddad, J.G. and Kyung, J.C. (1971). Competitive protein-binding radioassay for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. J. Clin. Endocrinol. 33. 992–995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haddad, J.G., Matsuoka, L.Y., Hollis, B.W., Hu, Y.Z., and Wortsman, J. (1993). Human plasma transport of vitamin D after its endogenous synthesis. J. Clin. Invest. 91, 2552–2555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haddock, L., Corcino, J., and Vazquez, M.D. (1982). 25(OH)D serum levels in the normal Puerto Rican population and in subjects with tropical sprue and parathyroid disease. P. R. Health Sci. J. 1, 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L.J. (1935), Vitamin D and rickets. In Anonymous. Vitamins in Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 107–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L.J. (1956). Vitamin D and Bone. In G.H. Bourne (ed.), The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone. Academic Press, New York, pp. 581–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, C.E., Cantorna, M.T., and DeLuca, H.F. (1997). Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 216, 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaney, R.P. (1999). Lessons for nutritional science from vitamin D. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 69, 825–826.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heikinheimo, R.J., Inkovaara, J.A., Harju, E.J., Haavisto, M.V., Kaarela, R.H., Kataja, J.M., Kokko, A.M., Kolho, L.A. et al. (1992). Annual injection of vitamin D and fractures of aged bones. Calcif. Tissue Int. 51, 105–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, H. and Norman, A.W. (1975). Presence of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin-D-l-hydroxylase in species of all vertebrate classes. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 50B, 431–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewison, M., Zehnder, D., Bland, R., and Stewart, P.M. (2000), 1 Alpha-hydroxylase and the action of vitamin D. J. Moi. Endocrinol. 25, 141–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holick, M.F. (1992). Evolutionary biology and pathology of vitamin D. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. Spec No: 79-83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holick, M.F. (1995). Environmental factors that influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61, 638S–645S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holick, M.F., MacLaughlin, J.A., and Doppelt, S.H. (1981). Regulation of cutaneous previtamin D, photosynthesis in man: Skin pigment is not an essential regulator. Science 211, 590–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, J.Y., Feldman, D., McNeal, J.E., and Peehl, D.M. (2001). Reduced 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity in human prostate cancer cells correlates with decreased susceptibility to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-induced growth inhibition. Cancer Res. 61, 2852–2856.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jablonski, N.G. and Chaplin, G. (2000). The evolution of human skin coloration. J. Hum. Evol. 39, 57–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kewenig, S., Schneider, T., Hohloch, K., Lampe-Dreyer, K., Ullrich, R., Stolte, N., Stahl-Hennig, C, Kaup, F.J. et al. (1999). Rapid mucosal CD4( + ) T-cell depletion and enteropathy in simian immunodeficiency virusinfected rhesus macaques. Gastroenterology 116, 1115–1123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koch, H.C. and Burmeister, W. (1993). [Vitamin D status of children and adolescents of African and Asian diplomats in Germany]. [German]. Klin. Padiatr. 205, 416–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, R., Buhring, M., Hopfenmuller, W., Holick, M.F., and Sharma, A.M. (1998) Ultraviolet B and blood pressure. Lancet 352, 709–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, N.E., Gore, L.R., Cummings, S.R., Hochberg, M.C., Scott, J.C, Williams, E.N., and Nevitt, M.C. (1999). Serum vitamin D levels and incident changes of radiographie hip osteoarthritis: A longitudinal study. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group. Arthritis Rheum. 42, 854–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, M., Thomas, M., and Hardiman, A. (1999). Dietary and lifestyle factors affecting plasma vitamin D levels in Asian children living in England. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 268–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahon, B.D., Bemiss, C, and Cantorna, M.T. (2001). Altered cytokine profile in patients with multiple sclerosis following vitamin D supplementation. FASEB J. 837, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marx, S.J., Jones, G., Weinstein, R.S., Chrousos, G.P., and Renquist, D.M. (1989). Differences in mineral metabolism among nonhuman primates receiving diets with only vitamin D3 or only vitamin D2. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 69, 1282–1289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka, L.Y., Wortsman, J., and Hollis, B.W. (1990). Suntanning and cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3 J. Lab. Clin. Med. 116, 87–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawer, E.B., Berry, J.L., Sommer-Tsilenis, E., Beykirch, W., Kuhlwein. A., and Rohde, B.T. (1984). Ultraviolet irradiation increases serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D in vitamin-D-replete adults. Miner. Electrolyte Metab. 10, 117–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAlindon, T.E., Felson, D.T., Zhang, Y., Hannan, M.T., Aliabadi, P., Weissman. B., Rush, D., Wilson, P.W., and Jacques, P. (1996). Relation of dietary intake and serum levels of vitamin D to progression of osteoarthritis of the knee among participants in the Framingham Study. Ann. Intern. Med. 125, 353–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, J. (2001). Does “imprinting” with low prenatal vitamin D contribute to the risk of various adult disorders? Med. Hypotheses 56, 367–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meulmeester, J.F., van den Berg, H., Wedel, M., Boshuis, P.G., and Hulshof, K.F.L.R. (1990). Vitamin D status, parathyroid hormone and sunlight in Turkish, Moroccan and Caucasian children in The Netherlands. Eur. J. Clin.Nutr. 44, 461–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muhe, L., Lulseged, S., Mason, K.E., and Simoes, E.A. (1997). Case-control study of the role of nutritional rickets in the risk of developing pneumonia in Ethiopian children. Lancet 349, 1801–1804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nestle, M. (2000). Paleolithic diets: A sceptical view. BNF Nutrition Bulletin 25, 43–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nykjaer, A., Dragun, D., Walther, D., Vorum, H., Jacobsen, C, Herz, J., Meisen, F., Christensen, E.I. et al. (1999). An endocytic pathway essential for renal uptake and activation of the steroid 25-(OH) vitamin D3 Cell 96, 507–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ott, S.M., Lipkin, E.W., and Newell-Morris, L. (1999). Bone physiology during pregnancy and lactation in young macaques. J. Bone Miner. Res. 14, 1779–1788.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt, A.M. (1990). Osteomalacia and related disorders. In Louis V. Arioli and Stephen M. Krane (ed.), Metabolic Bone Disease and Clinically Related Disorders, 2nd edn. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp. 329–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeifer, M., Begerow, B., Minne, H.W., Abrams, C, Nachtigall, D., and Hansen, C. (2000). Effects of a shortterm vitamin D and calcium supplementation on body sway and secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly women. J. Bone Miner. Res. 15, 1113–1118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Relethford, J.H. (1997). Hemispheric difference in human skin color. Am. J. Phys, Anthropol. 104, 449–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rostand, S.G. (1997). Ultraviolet light may contribute to geographic and racial blood pressure differences. Hypertension 30, 150–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G.G., Wang, M.H., Zang, M., Singh, R.K., and Siegal, G.P. (1997). 1 Alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) inhibits the invasiveness of human prostate cancer cells. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prevent. 6, 727–732.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G.G., Whitlatch, L.W., Chen, T.C., Lokeshwar, B.L., and Holick, M.F. (1998). Human prostate cells synthesize 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, from 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prevent. 7, 391–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedrani, S.H., Elidrissy, A.W., and El Arabi, K.M. (1983). Sunlight and vitamin D status in normal Saudi subjects. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 38, 129–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamp, T.C. (1975). Factors in human vitamin D nutrition and in the production and cure of classical rickets. Proc.Nutr. Soc. 34, 119–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stamp, T.C., Haddad, J.G., and Twigg, C.A. (1977). Comparison of oral 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, vitamin D, and ultraviolet light as determinants of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Lancet 1, 1341–1343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. (1997). Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stene, L.C., Ulriksen, J., Magnus. P., and Joner, G. (2000). Use of cod liver oil during pregnancy associated with lower risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring. Diabetologia 43, 1093–1098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sturm, R.A., Box, N.F., and Ramsay, M. (1998). Human pigmentation genetics: The difference is only skin deep. Bioessays 20, 712–721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trang, H., Cole, D.E., Rubin, L.A., Pierratos, A., Siu, S., and Vieth, R. (1998). Evidence that vitamin D, increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D more efficiently than does vitamin D2. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 68, 854–848.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varghese, M., Rodman, J.S., Williams, J.J., Brown, A., Carter, D.M., Zerwekh, J.E., and Pak, C.Y. (1989). The effect of ultraviolet B radiation treatments on calcium excretion and vitamin D metabolites in kidney stone formers. Clin. Nephrol. 31, 225–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieth, R. (1994). Simple method for determining specific binding capacity of vitamin D-binding protein and its use to calculate the concentration of “free” 1.25-dihydroxy vitamin D. Clin. Chem. 40, 435–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieth, R. (1999). Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 69, 842–856.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieth, R. (2001). Reply to J Hathcock and I Munro. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 74, 866–867.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieth, R., Kessler, M.J., and Pritzker, K.P. (1987). Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques. J. Med. Primatot. 16, 349–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vieth, R., McCarten, K., and Norwich, K.H. (1990). Role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, dose in determining rat 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, production. Am. J. Physiol. 258, E780–E789.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, M.R., Kollenkirchen, U., and Fox, J. (1992). What is vitamin D deficiency? Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 199, 385–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, A.R., DeCosta, B.R., and Holick, M.F. (1989). Sunlight regulates the cutaneous production of vitamin D3 by causing its photodegradation. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 68, 882–887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, A.R., Kline, L., and Holick, M.F. (1988). Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3: Exposure to winter sunlight in Boston and Edmonton will not promote vitamin D3 synthesis in human skin. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 67, 373–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vieth, R. (2003). Effects of Vitamin D on Bone and Natural Selection of Skin Color: How Much Vitamin D Nutrition are We Talking About?. In: Agarwal, S.C., Stout, S.D. (eds) Bone Loss and Osteoporosis. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8891-1_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8891-1_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-4708-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8891-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics