Defining Normal from the Deficient Skew

The average health metrics of a population often stem from measurements taken within a deficient group, leading to skewed interpretations of normalcy. Using the analogy of measuring the average weight of women in a city, if the population surveyed is largely overweight, the derived average weight does not represent an ideal or healthy condition. This issue extends to many laboratory values that rely on reference ranges obtained from populations with health deficiencies. As a corrective measure, aiming for optimal levels—such as 60 to 70 nanograms per milliliter for vitamin D—can provide a more accurate assessment without indications of toxicity.