As an anthropologist I’ve often wondered just what level of vitamin D would be found among indigenous populations living traditional lifestyles. A new study provides insights on the natural vitamin D levels of tropical indigenous individuals. And the good news is that the vitamin D level found among these native populations is very similar to what I have held as the “optimum” vitamin D level.
Reference:
Luxwolda, M. F., R. S. Kuipers, I. P. Kema, D. A. Janneke Dijck¬Brouwer, and F. A. J. Muskiet. Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25 ¬hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l. British Journal of Nutrition, 2012 Jan 23:1-5. [Epub ahead of print]. DOI :10.1017/S0007114511007161.