Vitamin D Deficiency in South America - meta-analysis March 2023

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Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in South America: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nutr Rev . 2023 Mar 7;nuad010. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad010  PDF is behind a $39 paywall
Marcela M Mendes 1, Anna P O Gomes 2, Maísa M Araújo 1, Alexandre S G Coelho 3, Kênia M B Carvalho 1, Patrícia B Botelho 1

Context: Vitamin D deficiency is considered a global public health issue, even in low-latitude countries where there is abundant sunlight radiation. Nevertheless, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in the South American continent has not been well characterized.

Objective: The aim of this review was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxy-calciferol < 20 ng/mL) in South American populations.

Data sources: Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, SciELO, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched systematically for observational studies published before July 1, 2021, and reporting vitamin D status of healthy adults in South America.

Data extraction: Data were extracted using a standardized form. Risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument for Studies Reporting Prevalence. All steps were conducted independently by two authors. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted (R software).

Data analysis: Of 9460 articles identified, 96 studies with a total of 227 758 participants were included. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 34.76% (79 studies; 95%CI, 29.68-40.21; I2 = 99%). There were significant differences in prevalence rates related to age, sex, country, latitude, season, and year of publication.

Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is unexpectedly elevated in South American populations. Public health strategies should include efforts to prevent, detect, and treat vitamin D deficiency.

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VitaminDWiki – Deficiency of Vitamin D category contains

468 items   Some Highlights:

• Overview Deficiency of vitamin D
• Many reasons why vitamin D deficiency has become epidemic
  •   23 of the 40 reasons are recent
• Many doctors continue to believe 2,000 IU of vitamin D is max (Hungary in this case)– Dec 2021
• 73 percent of US infants still do not even get 400 IU of Vitamin D - June 2020
• Vitamin D levels are dropping rapidly – what you need to do
• 4 Reasons why Vitamin D levels are crashing
  • Update Reasons for Low Vitamin D and what to do with a concise table
• Air Pollution reduces Vitamin D production - many studies
• Vitamin D levels in 56 countries (many have less than 20 ng) – 2021
• Trends in vitamin D status around the world – Nov 2021
• Vitamin deficiency in US military – Vitamin D is the most prevalent and is growing rapidly – June 2021
• Smoking reduces vitamin D - many studies 77 studies as of Feb 2024
• Low Vitamin D is worse for your health than smoking
• Many categories of people are at High Risk of low vitamin D - 67 studies
• 26 health factors increase the risk of COVID-19 – all are proxies for low vitamin D
• Diseases arising from depletion are cured by repletion - Hippocrates 400 BC

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VitaminDWiki - 6 studies in both categories Deficiency and Meta-analysis

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