Vitamin D levels in military personnel serving in the Far North of the Russian Federation

Relevance. Northern territories make up to 70 % of Russia. About 11.5 million people, mainly migrants, live in the Far North. Migration to the extreme conditions of the Far North facilitates adaptation, new pathways of protein, fat, carbohydrate, micro - and macronutrient metabolism. If the functional reserves decompensate, chronic diseases develop and life expectancy decreases.

Intention. Evaluate the influence of extreme conditions of the Far North on the bone mineral density in male military personnel.

Methodology. We examined 60 servicemen aged 25-45 who served > 5 years in the Far North (Severomorsk). The control group included servicemen (n = 41) from the North-Western region (St. Petersburg). All the servicemen underwent dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry using a densitometer “Osteometer DTX 200” and vitamin D testing in the blood.

Results and Discussion. The analysis of the obtained data showed a significant decrease in the level of vitamin D (29 ± 11.5) nmol/l and a significant decrease in the Z-criterion (0.1 ± 1.7) SD (p < 0.05) in the servicemen from the Far North. Correlations between Z-criterion and vitamin D levels, body mass index and muscle strength were established. Correlations between Z- criterion and vitamin D levels, body mass index and dynamometry reflect the natural process of reducing bone mineral density due to the low insolation in all the subjects.

Conclusion. A significant deviation of vitamin D and bone mineral density from normal values was found in military personnel serving in the Far North and North-West of Russia. The revealed decrease in endogenous synthesis in the skin due to insufficient insolation and inadequate intake of this vitamin from food are the causes of vitamin D deficiency.

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