Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Association between quantitative measures of skin color and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Summary

We examined the relationship between vitamin D and skin color measured by reflectance colorimetry at an exposed and un-exposed site in 321 people. Exposed but not unexposed skin color was associated with better vitamin D status. Sun-exposure was more important than natural skin color in determining vitamin D status in our population.

Introduction

Vitamin D is obtained through UV synthesis in the skin where melanin limits its synthesis. Ethnicity is often used as a proxy for skin color, but skin color varies considerably. The relation between quantitative measures of skin color and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration has not been well described.

Methods

The aim of this study was to determine the association between constitutive (natural) and sun-induced skin color and 25OHD in a group of Pacific People (n = 87) and Europeans (n = 255) living in NZ (46°S) in summer. Plasma 25OHD was determined and sun-induced (outer fore-arm) and constitutive (upper inner-arm) measured by reflectance colorimetry.

Results

Mean (SD) 25OHD was significantly higher in Europeans than Pacific People, 88 (31) nmol/L vs. 75 (34) nmol/L, respectively. Based on constitutive skin color, 35% of participants were very light, 45% light, 16% intermediate, 4% tanned, and 0% brown or dark. Skin color at the forearm but not constitutive skin color was a significant predictor of 25OHD. Each 10° lower skin color value at the forearm (more tanning) was associated with a 5 nmol/L higher 25OHD (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Tanning but not natural skin color was an important determinant of 25OHD. Further study is needed in a population with a higher proportion of darker skin people.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Holick MF (2004) Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr 79:362–371

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Holick MF (2007) Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 357:266–281

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rockell JE, Green TJ, Skeaff CM, Whiting SJ, Taylor RW, Williams SM, Parnell WR, Scragg R, Wilson N, Schaaf D, Fitzgerald ED, Wohlers MW (2005) Season and ethnicity are determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in New Zealand children aged 5–14 y. J Nutr 135:2602–2608

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rockell JE, Skeaff CM, Williams SM, Green TJ (2006) Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of New Zealanders aged 15 years and older. Osteoporos Int 17:1382–1389

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Nesby-O’Dell S, Scanlon KS, Cogswell ME, Gillespie C, Hollis BW, Looker AC, Allen C, Doughertly C, Gunter EW, Bowman BA (2002) Hypovitaminosis D prevalence and determinants among African American and white women of reproductive age: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994. Am J Clin Nutr 76:187–192

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Matsuoka LY, Wortsman J, Haddad JG, Kolm P, Hollis BW (1991) Racial pigmentation and the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Arch Dermatol 127:536–538

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen TC, Chimeh F, Lu Z, Mathieu J, Person KS, Zhang A, Kohn N, Martinello S, Berkowitz R, Holick MF (2007) Factors that influence the cutaneous synthesis and dietary sources of vitamin D. Arch Biochem Biophys 460:213–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Clemens TL, Adams JS, Henderson SL, Holick MF (1982) Increased skin pigment reduces the capacity of skin to synthesise vitamin D3. Lancet 1:74–76

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Taylor S, Westerhof W, Im S, Lim J (2006) Noninvasive techniques for the evaluation of skin color. J Am Acad Dermatol 54:S282–290

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Tangpricha V, Turner A, Spina C, Decastro S, Chen TC, Holick MF (2004) Tanning is associated with optimal vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration) and higher bone mineral density. Am J Clin Nutr 80:1645–1649

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Pierard GE (1998) EEMCO guidance for the assessment of skin colour. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 10:1–11

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Del Bino S, Sok J, Bessac E, Bernerd F (2006) Relationship between skin response to ultraviolet exposure and skin colour type. Pigment Cell Re 19:606–614

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Matsuoka LY, Wortsman J, Haddad JG, Hollis BW (1990) Skin types and epidermal photosynthesis of vitamin D3. J Am Acad Dermatol 23:525–526

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Shriver MD, Parra EJ (2000) Comparison of narrow-band reflectance spectroscopy and tristimulus colorimetry for measurements of skin and hair color in persons of different biological ancestry. Am J Phys Anthropol 112:17–27

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Armas LA, Dowell S, Akhter M, Duthuluru S, Huerter C, Hollis BW, Lund R, Heaney RP (2007) Ultraviolet-B radiation increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: the effect of UVB dose and skin color. J Am Acad Dermatol 57:588–593

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Malvy DJ, Guinot C, Preziosi P, Galan P, Chapuy MC, Maamer M, Arnaud S, Meunier PJ, Hercberg S, Tschachler E (2000) Relationship between vitamin D status and skin phototype in general adult population. Photochem Photobiol 71:466–469

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    J. E. P. Rockell & C. M. Skeaff

  2. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    S. M. Williams

  3. Food, Nutrition & Health, University of British Columbia, 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4

    T. J. Green

Authors
  1. J. E. P. Rockell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. M. Skeaff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. M. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. J. Green
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. J. Green.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rockell, J.E.P., Skeaff, C.M., Williams, S.M. et al. Association between quantitative measures of skin color and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Osteoporos Int 19, 1639–1642 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0620-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-008-0620-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation