024: The Evolution of Diverse Vitamin D Requirements (8/9/16)

Whites have higher 25(OH)D than every other racial group, and the conventional explanation is that light skin evolved to allow sufficient vitamin D synthesis far away from the equator. In episode 24, I explain why these differences may relate to genetics of vitamin D metabolism that have nothing to do with skin color and may reflect a lower average need for 25(OH)D rather than a lower average ability to get enough. But “average” is the key word and when it comes to using this information on a practical level we need to look beyond racial categories and treat each person as an individual.

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