title: Assessing Vitamin D Status in African Americans and the Influence of Vitamin D on Skeletal Health Parameters.
abstract: In the United States, there is a significant disparity in vitamin D status among individuals of African versus European descent. Despite having lower total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with white Americans, African Americans have higher bone mineral density and lower fracture risk. This article reviews classical and nonclassical vitamin D physiology, describes whether total versus free 25-hydroxyvitamin D is a better marker of vitamin D status in African Americans, and summarizes the influence of vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementation on markers of vitamin D bioactivity (intestinal calcium absorption, parathyroid hormone secretion, bone mineral density, fracture) in African Americans.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10945 LeConte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10945 LeConte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687, USA. Electronic address: ashieh@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bone Mineral Research and Treatment Center, Dean Winthrop University Hospital Clinical Campus, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, 222 Station Plaza North, Suite 510, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Aloia
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; African American; Bone mineral density; Calcium absorption; Parathyroid hormone; Vitamin D