Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
1) Perm State Pedagogical University, Perm; 2) Institute of Developmental Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, Moscow
Kozlov Andrew I., Ph.D., D.Sc., ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6710-4862, e-mail: dr.kozlov@gmail.com; Ateeva Ju.A., e-mail: Ateeva@yandex.ru
Introduction. The requirement of the human body in vitamin D could be met in two ways. Vit.D2 (ergocalciferol) is produced from dietary plant sterols; cholecalciferol (vit.D3) is synthesized in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol by following the exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Relatively low levels of UV-radiation in high-latitude regions lead to an underproduction of vit.D3, therefore, it has been assumed that the population of northern regions experiences the vitamin insufficiency, especially in the winter-spring period. An investigation of vitamin D status and its seasonal dynamics in the Russian Federation is of current interest at least by virtue of the northerness of the populations. The study objective is to examine age, seasonal and geographic variability in serum concentration of vit.D transport form (25-OHD3) in the groups of Komi differing by their traditional land use and diet, whose places of living are located practically along a meridian. Materials and methods. The serum concentration of 25-OHD3 reflects an individual’s vitamin D status. The content of 25-OHD3 was measured by enzyme immunoassay. The samples obtained in the groups of Komi-Zyrians (n=95) from southern and Komi-Izhems (n=64) from northern areas of the Komi Republic, Komi-Permiaks (n=46) and Russians (n=49) from the Perm region in the two age groups: 13-16 years old adolescents and 19-59 years old adults. Results and discussion. In the adolescents the concentration of 25-OHD3 is lower than in the adults (p < 0.001), and in spring lower than in autumn (p<0.001). Adult Komi-Izhems, engaged in tundra reindeer breeding, have higher serum concentration of 25-OHD3 than living southward Zyryans (p<0,01) and Komi-Permiaks (p<0.01). Thus, our materials do not agree with the presumption that there is a relation between the production of vitamin D and geographic localisation (latitude). We suggest that nutritional factors became more important in the maintaining of vitamin D levels, while the contribution of endogenous cholecalciferol reduced to the north from the 55–60 parallels. Nutritional data were obtained from the Rosstat reports. The northerners consume up to 13–44% more animal foods and 30–50% more fish than the residents of the southern regions of the Komi Republic and Perm Kray (Territory). In addition, the traditional cuisine of the Komi-Izhems includes dishes from the reindeer - the only domestic animal, whose fat contains a significant amount of vitamin D. These eating habits could condition the high levels of vitamin D in the Komi-Izhemts even in the winter-spring period.
25-OHD3, ergocalciferol, vitamin D, Komi, adolescents, adults, reindeer herding
Цит.: Kozlov A.I., Ateeva Ju.A. Vitamin D and eating habits in various groups of Komi // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2011; 4/2011; с. 25-34
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