Systematic Review on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Various Populations of the Russian North

Human Physiology. 2019. Vol. 45. No. 5. P. 125–136.

Kozlov A., Vershubsky G. G.

We analyzed published data on the levels of serum 25(OH)D in apparently healthy individuals from
the Russian Far North. The total sample included 2061 subjects of various age and ethnic groups. The serum
levels of 25(OH)D and its age dynamics in the northerners living in towns are similar to those of the inhabitants
of the temperate climate zone of Russia. Data on the age-related changes in the vitamin D status of the
indigenous Arctic people with the traditional lifestyle are scanty. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations in the
indigenous and alien population of the high-latitude regions reflect the seasonal changes in the daylight duration.
The level of vitamin D decreases in winter and reaches minimum in February, i.e., after the end of the
polar night. We compared data on rural Russian and indigenous people and found ethnic differences in the
25(OH)D concentrations; however, the vitamin D status of various indigenous groups of the Russian North is
poorly studied. We could not find publications that analyze the 25(OH)D concentrations along with the direct
assessment of food consumption. The available data do not contradict the opinion that the traditional food
products are beneficial. However, there are no studies to support this opinion. There are little data on the
effect of foods from marine mammal catch, marine and freshwater fishery, and venison on the vitamin D status
of the indigenous people of the Russian North.

Keywords: Arctic, indigenous populations, nutrition, vitamin D, 25OHD, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D status, natural light, latitude