Associations of vitamin D receptor, calcium-sensing receptor and parathyroid hormone gene polymorphisms with calcium homeostasis and peripheral bone density in adult Finns.

Background: Thus far the search for osteoporosis candidate genes has focused less attention on the regulation of calcium homeostasis. Associations of vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI, calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) A986S and parathyroid hormone (PTH) BstBI polymorphisms with calcium homeostasis and peripheral bone density were investigated in adult Finns.

Methods: The subgroup of the population-based FINRISK survey consists of 339 healthy adults aged 31-43 years.

Habitual high phosphorus intakes and foods with phosphate additives negatively affect serum parathyroid hormone concentration: a cross-sectional study on healthy premenopausal women.

Objective: Foods can contain natural phosphorus (NP) and phosphate-containing food additives (AP). The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether NP and AP of habitual diets differ in their effects on markers of Ca metabolism. We also investigated the impact of total habitual dietary P intake on markers of Ca metabolism.

A simple way of evaluating the healthiness of ready-to-eat foods and developing healthy foods in the food industry.

In this study we have developed a new way of evaluating the healthiness of ready-to-eat foods. In the developed method, ready-to-eat foods were classified into specific product categories, and the nutritional quality of classified foods was analysed using the national dietary recommendations and the national dietary survey as a basis for the dietary calculations. The method was tested with the products of 'Saarioinen', which is the leading brand in the Finnish ready-to-eat food market.

Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a plant sterol mixture would reduce serum cholesterol when added to low fat dairy products in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia, and to examine the effects of the mixture on the serum plant sterol and fat-soluble vitamin levels.

Design: A parallel, double-blind study.

Setting: The study was performed in three different locations in Finland.

Vitamin D receptor gene start codon polymorphism (FokI) is associated with forearm bone mineral density and calcaneal ultrasound in Finnish adolescent boys but not in girls.

We examined the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism and bone mineral density and quantitative ultrasound parameters in Finnish adolescents. We assessed bone mineral density at the distal sites of radius and ulna, quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus, serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), calcium intake, physical activity, and BsmI and FokI polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene in 86 girls and 38 boys aged 14 to 16 years. In girls, FokI polymorphism was not significantly associated with bone mineral density or quantitative ultrasound parameters.

Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI-polymorphism in Finnish premenopausal and postmenopausal women: its association with bone mineral density, markers of bone turnover, and intestinal calcium absorption, with adjustment for lifestyle factors.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is regulated by genetic and environmental factors. Sixty percent to 80% of bone mass is suggested to be under polygenetic control, but the role of individual genes seems to be modest. Several studies have indicated that the vitamin D receptor ( VDR) gene has a role in the regulation of BMD and bone metabolism, but the results are very controversial.

Vitamin D deficiency: a concern in premenopausal Bangladeshi women of two socio-economic groups in rural and urban region.

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the vitamin D status in women of different physiological status of two socio-economic groups in Bangladesh.

Design: A cross-sectional study, using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase activity.

Setting: Two regions of Bangladesh.

Vitamin D deficiency and bone health in healthy adults in Finland: could this be a concern in other parts of Europe?

A low vitamin D status could be a concern not only in children and the elderly in Europe, but also in adults. We do not know the effect of mild vitamin D deficiency on bone in this age group. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [S-25(OH)D] and elevated serum intact parathyroid hormone (S-iPTH) concentrations in healthy young adults in the winter in northern Europe and to characterize the determinants of these variables.

Vitamin D status affects serum parathyroid hormone concentrations during winter in female adolescents: associations with forearm bone mineral density.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which has a negative effect on bone metabolism in the elderly. Puberty is an important time of bone metabolism and growth. The effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations on parathyroid hormone concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD) has not been well studied cross-sectionally in adolescents.

Dietary intake of vitamin D in premenopausal, healthy vegans was insufficient to maintain concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone within normal ranges during the winter in Finland.

Objective: To study vitamin D status and bone metabolism of premenopausal vegetarians and omnivores during a 1-year period.

Design: Longitudinal, observational study. Bone mineral density was measured, blood samples from fasting subjects were obtained, and 24-hour urinary samples were collected in February 1994, August 1994, and January 1995.

Bioavailability of vitamin D from wild edible mushrooms (Cantharellus tubaeformis) as measured with a human bioassay.

Background: The bioavailability of vitamin D from mushrooms in humans is unknown.

Objective: We investigated the bioavailability of vitamin D from wild edible mushrooms (Cantharellus tubaeformis) using the increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations as a measure of vitamin D bioavailability.

Design: Twenty-seven volunteers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations <60 nmol/L (mean : 38.