# Genetic and epigenetic determinants of vitamin D metabolism: nutrigenomic insights for precision nutrition

**Authors:** Fatima Qahtan, Salma Abu-Qiyas, Dimitrios Papandreou

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1772849 · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2026-03-06

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how genetic and epigenetic factors influence vitamin D metabolism, suggesting personalized nutrition strategies based on genetic information.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of nutrigenomic factors influencing vitamin D metabolism and their implications for precision nutrition.

## Key findings

- Genetic polymorphisms in VDR, GC, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 affect vitamin D metabolism and disease susceptibility.
- Epigenetic mechanisms modulate vitamin D-related gene expression and health outcomes.
- Gene–environment interactions highlight the potential for genotype-specific vitamin D supplementation.

## Abstract

Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in immune regulation, metabolic balance, skeletal health, and gene expression. Growing evidence indicates that genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to interindividual differences in vitamin D status and physiological responses. This review summarizes current findings on the nutrigenomic determinants of vitamin D metabolism, with emphasis on genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR), GC, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1, as well as epigenetic mechanisms that modulate vitamin D related gene expression. Peer-reviewed original studies and review articles published between 2010 and 2025 were examined to highlight associations between genetic variation in the vitamin D pathway and susceptibility to cancer, autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative outcomes. Advances in omics technologies and epigenetic biomarker research have improved understanding the molecular pathways through which vitamin D acts across multiple body systems. Evidence from gene–environment interactions and genotype-specific supplementation responses highlights the conceptual relevance of precision nutrition, while underscoring substantial gaps in clinical validation. Collectively, current research suggests that genetic information may inform future personalized vitamin D strategies, although translation into clinical practice remains limited by inconsistent evidence and methodological heterogeneity.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** VDR (vitamin D receptor) [NCBI Gene 7421], GC (GC vitamin D binding protein) [NCBI Gene 2638], CYP2R1 (cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1) [NCBI Gene 120227], CYP27B1 (cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1) [NCBI Gene 1594], CYP24A1 (cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1) [NCBI Gene 1591]
- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** VDR (vitamin D receptor) [NCBI Gene 7421] {aka NR1I1, PPP1R163}, CYP2R1 (cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1) [NCBI Gene 120227], CYP24A1 (cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1) [NCBI Gene 1591] {aka CP24, CYP24, HCAI, HCINF1, P450-CC24}, CYP27B1 (cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1) [NCBI Gene 1594] {aka CP2B, CYP1, CYP1alpha, CYP27B, P450c1, PDDR}
- **Diseases:** metabolic diseases (MESH:D008659), conditions (MESH:D020763), autoimmune disorders (MESH:D001327), cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Chemicals:** Vitamin D (MESH:D014807)

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13002382/full.md

## References

81 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13002382/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13002382