Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unraveling Vitamin A Transport Mechanisms — Linking Liver Receptors to Vision Health Through RBPR2 and RBP4 Interactions
Published on: October 4, 2024
Vitamin D insufficiency in Aboriginal Australians
Simon J Vanlint1, Howard A Morris, Jonathan W Newbury
1Discipline of General Practice, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. simon.vanlint@adelaide.edu.au
Objective:
To investigate the adequacy of vitamin D status in a South Australian Aboriginal population, and to examine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and biochemical variables of calcium and bone mineral homeostasis, as well as other factors which may influence vitamin D synthesis, storage and metabolism.
Design, Setting And Participants:
A single-visit, observational study of 58 adults from two Aboriginal community-controlled health services in Adelaide and Yalata, South Australia. Participants were recruited between May 2008 and December 2009.
Main Outcome Measures:
Serum levels of 25-OHD, parathyroid hormone (PTH), fasting glucose and fasting C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTx).
Results:
Serum 25-OHD levels showed clear seasonal variation, being higher in summer (P < 0.001). The overall mean level was 56.8 nmol/L (SD, 22.1), which is below the recommended target level of 60 nmol/L. Serum 25-OHD levels correlated significantly with β-CTx (P = 0.03), but not with age, body mass index (BMI), PTH levels or levels of fasting glucose. A significant association was found between BMI and PTH levels (P = 0.001). A significant inverse association between serum 25-OHD levels and BMI, observed in other studies, was not found in our study.
Conclusions:
Vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in this population of adult Aboriginal Australians, with low mean values found in all seasons other than summer.
Related Concept Videos
Vitamins
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...

