A plasma 25(OH)D level < 20 ng/ml remained strongly associated with an increased risk of MetS after adjustment for the covariates in Models 1 and 2 plus regulators of mineral metabolism including serum calcium, phosphorus, plasma 1,25(OH)2D, iPTH and FGF-23, smoking status and alcohol intake (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.26 – 4.10). This evidence concerns the gene FGF23 and metabolic syndrome.