I admire the ingenuity of these researchers in Iran, who looked at the effects of air pollution on vitamin D status in otherwise healthy women.
Dr. F Hosseinpanah and colleagues, took a cross-section of 200 free living housewives with ages between 20 and 55 years old. They looked at the vitamin D levels in the women living in Tehran (a highly polluted area of Iran) and the women living in Ghazvin (a low pollution area of Iran).
The researchers then measured the ground level of UVB by using a Haze meter as a way of measuring air pollution.
The findings confirmed what I have discussed in my book about the importance of pollution blocking the UVB needed for the skin to make vitamin D.
The frequency of vitamin D levels less than 10 ng/ml was 36% in Tehran and 31% in Ghazvin. The frequency of vitamin D levels between 10 and 20 ng/ml were also higher in women in Tehran specifically 54% of the women compared to only 32% of the women in Ghazvin.
The conclusion of the authors was that living in a polluted area plays an independent and significant role in vitamin D deficiency. Therefore location of residency can be one of the main reasons of Vitamin D deficiency in women.
This study looked at women housewives. I am sure it will also apply to men in polluted cities.
This is yet another reason for all of us to get our blood levels tested at least once a year and to keep our levels at an optimal level.
Do you live in a smoggy city? When was the last time your levels were tested? What about your family?
About Dr. Soram Khalsa
As an MD, Dr Soram specializes in Integrative Medicine combining diet, nutrition, acupuncture, herbs and nutrition. Visit Dr Soram’s Healthy Living Store where you’ll find high-quality nutritional supplements:
