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Mini-review of vitamin D roles – Sept 2011

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
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See also Vitamin D Life

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