Tropical and geographical medicine
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Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D have been determined in 65 Saudis, 45 white and 12 dark-skinned non-Saudis. The subjects were healthy male blood donors and living in Riyadh (latitude 24 degrees), Saudi Arabia for more than one year. ⋯ Avoidance of sunshine is probably the main factor contributing to vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia. Encouragement of exposure to sunlight and fortification of food with vitamin D are indispensable measures for improving the vitamin D status of the population of Saudi Arabia.