Abstract:
Vitamin D (VD) has a potential role in calcium homeostasis in the human body. It is also considered a strong
immunomodulator, affecting both arms of the immune system (Innate and adaptive immunity). VD can also lower
the risk of diabetes, improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce the risk of acute respiratory infection (e.g., COVID-19),
and decrease the risk of cancer. No doubt that VD deficiency (VDD) is a health condition that spreads out all over
the globe. VDD is linked to many health problems ranging from fatigue and skeleton pain to serious conditions such
as rickets, osteomalacia, diabetes, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. This review aims to
provide a whole picture of the status of 25- hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D] as well as the frequency of 25-
(OH)D deficiency (VDD) among Libyans in various regions of the country and to discuss the correlation between
VDD and other health problems. The prevalence of VDD reached up to 80% among healthy individuals in the
Middle East region. Libya is a big Mediterranean country and is sunny most of the year. In the western part of Libya,
particularly in Tripoli (the capital city), the prevalence of severe VDD [25-(OH)D < 10 ng/mL] was as high as
50.8%, whereas only 27.5% had moderate VDD [25-(OH)D; 10-20 ng/mL]. In Benghazi (second largest city), the
VDD prevalence was also high (76%). The highest prevalence of VDD was reported at 79% in the biggest southern
city of Sebha. In the whole country, the VDD prevalence was high (among males and females), ranging from 45.4%
to 87%, with a mean of 55.58%. The mean prevalence of VDD among males was 54.3% and for females was
53.29%. As clear from these data, VDD prevalence was high in the entire country. However, the available data
were obtained from small cross-sectional studies and it becomes a necessity to conduct nationally representative
studies and establish national nutrition surveys to accurately assess the prevalence of VDD. Moreover, the data
included in this review invites the health authorities in Libya to take preventive measures to reduce the high prevalence of VDD, which will decrease VDD-associated health problems in the future
