Low vitamin D levels explains most ESRD risk in African-Americans

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/ason-lvd102609.php

Public release date: 29-Oct-2009
Contact: Shari Leventhal
American Society of Nephrology
Low vitamin D levels explains most ESRD risk in African-Americans
Future studies will tell whether raising vitamin D Levels can slow kidney disease

Low levels of vitamin D may account for nearly 60 percent of the elevated risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans, according to a report in the December Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). "Our study adds to previous evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to the progression of kidney disease and the need for dialysis," comments Michal L. Melamed, MD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY). "It also explains a fair amount of the increased risk of ESRD in African Americans." Vitamin D is obtained from sun exposure, food and food supplements.

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