Vitamin D status and supplementation in Antarctica: a systematic review and meta- analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antarctic-regions #dietary-supplements #humans #seasons #vitamin-d

Vitamin D status and supplementation in Antarctica: a systematic review and meta- analysis

Cabalín et al., 2021 | Int J Circumpolar Health | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cabalín Carolina, Iturriaga Carolina, ... Borzutzky Arturo. Vitamin D status and supplementation in Antarctica: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2021-Dec;80(1):1926133. doi:10.1080/22423982.2021.1926133

Abstract

Living at high latitudes is associated with vitamin D (VD) deficiency. An ideal setting to study this is the Antarctic continent, which has temporary inhabitants, but the magnitude of the effect of living in Antarctica and the effects of VD supplementation on this population remain unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of temporary residence in Antarctica and impact of VD supplementation on VD status of this population. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration changes after Antarctic residence (13 studies, 294 subjects) and after VD supplementation (5 studies, 213 subjects). Serum 25(OH)D mean difference after temporary residence in Antarctica was -15.0 nmol/L (95%CI: -25.9, -4.2; I²=92%). Subgroup meta-analyses of studies evaluating Antarctic summer and winter stays showed 25(OH)D only decreases when overwintering (winter 25(OH)D change -17.0 nmol/L [95%CI: -24.1, -9.8; I²=83%] vs. summer 25(OH)D change 1.3 nmol/L [95%CI: -14.6, 17.1; I²=86%]). The meta-analysis of VD supplementation studies in Antarctica showed a mean 25(OH)D increase after supplementation of 10.8 nmol/L (95%CI: 3.3, 18.3; I²=88%). In conclusion, VD status significantly worsens after inhabiting Antarctica, particularly when over-wintering. VD supplementation can prevent worsening of VD status and should be considered in this population.

Key Findings

VD supplementation can prevent worsening of VD status and should be considered in this population.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 294
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Antarctic Regions
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Seasons
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09