The Multiple Roles of Vitamin D in Human Health. A Mini-Review
J. Boucher, Barbara
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents - Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly, Volume 11, Number 3, September 2011 , pp. 220-227(8)
Vitamin D is a hormone precursor, originally provided by ultraviolet light-induced skin synthesis of cholecalciferol but, with modern lifestyles, humans depend on dietary intake mainly as ergocalciferol; adequate intakes are essential for musculo-skeletal health, the `classical' benefits of this vitamin, modulated by the activated hormonal metabolite, calcitriol. Most other tissues also contain vitamin D receptors and it's activating enzyme.
Hypovitaminosis D is associated with many disease risks and many protective mechanisms are known that explain this; in vitro and in vivo repletion or supplementation activating such mechanisms (e.g. in inflammation, atherosclerosis & malignancy).
This review outlines knowledge on the roles of vitamin in reducing all-cause mortality and ameliorating disease (including
- metabolic syndrome,
- insulin resistance and secretion,
- diabetes,
- hypertension,
- cardiovascular disease,
- autoimmunity,
- arthritis,
- multiple sclerosis,
- periodontal disease,
- Inflammatory bowel disease,
- asthma and respiratory infections,
- tuberculosis,
- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,
- polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility,
- wound healing,
- psoriasis and sepsis).
Interactions of vitamin D with calcium & vitamin A and variation in effects with genetic polymorphisms are referred to.
Reasons for the continuing high prevalences of vitamin D insufficiency world-wide and current difficulties in defining both vitamin D status and adequate repletion are discussed. It is suggested that whilst calcitriol analogues may have increasing roles in treatment, adequate vitamin D repletion at the population level is likely to provide a very cost-effective measure for health promotion. However, adequate randomized controlled trials are needed before larger doses than currently used are considered for long-term use at the population level.
DOI: 10.2174/187152211796642774
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - —
See also Vitamin D Life
- All Overviews for Doctors 54 items as of Aug 2011
- Vitamin D overview by Grant - Jan 2011 and Bouscher
- full text on Vitamin D Life which can be read and translated