Benefits of Vitamin D
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, as well as a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol. Exposure to sunlight triggers its synthesis in our bodies. Because most cells and organs have a vitamin D receptor, vitamin D performs a variety of functions in the body.
What are some benefits of Vitamin D?
Maintains calcium homeostasis and bone health
Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption in the intestines. Calcium is a mineral stored in bones that keeps them strong and healthy. Without adequate calcium, bones are at risk of diminished density and increased incidence of fracture.
Modulates innate and adaptive immunity
Vitamin D exerts numerous effects on the immune system due to the fact that immune cells have a Vitamin D receptor. Sufficient levels of vitamin D may prevent autoimmune diseases and/or reduce symptoms in autoimmune disease patients. This may be mediated by vitamin D’s ability to shift the immune system from a Th1 to Th2 phenotype, suppress T-cell proliferation, and lower inflammatory cytokine production.
What is vitamin D deficiency linked to?
Lowered insulin response
High blood glucose
Higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s
Inflammation and autoimmunity
Increased risk of infections
References
Ghahremani M, Smith EE, Chen H-Y, Creese B, Goodarzi Z, Ismail Z. Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status. Alzheimers Dement (Amst) [Internet]. 2023;15(1). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dad2.12404
Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2023 Jul 2];59(6):881–6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2310/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
Khazai N, Judd SE, Tangpricha V. Calcium and vitamin D: skeletal and extraskeletal health. Curr Rheumatol Rep [Internet]. 2008 [cited 2023 Jul 2];10(2):110–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11926-008-0020-y