title: Vitamin D status of Saudi men.
abstract: Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D have been determined in 65 Saudis, 45 white and 12 dark-skinned non-Saudis. The subjects were healthy male blood donors and living in Riyadh (latitude 24 degrees), Saudi Arabia for more than one year. A high percentage of the studied population were found to have low serum levels and to be at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were normal. Avoidance of sunshine is probably the main factor contributing to vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia. Encouragement of exposure to sunlight and fortification of food with vitamin D are indispensable measures for improving the vitamin D status of the population of Saudi Arabia.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol