What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D, also known as the Sunshine vitamin belongs to the fat-soluble class of vitamins [1]. It increases the absorption of magnesium, phosphate, calcium, and other minerals from the gut. Vitamin D2 is the most important vitamin in the group.

 

 

 

What are the Types of Vitamin D?

Following are the five different forms of vitamin D [2]:

 

Commonly used:

 

• Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol)
• Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

 

Rarely used:

• Vitamin D1 (Mixture of ergocalciferol and lumisterol)
• Vitamin D4 (22-dihydroergocalciferol)
• Vitamin D5 (Sitocalciferol)

 

 

 

Problems related to Vitamin D Deficiency:

 

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a large number of health disorders. Some of them are listed below [3]:

 

• Osteoporosis
• Kidney disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pre-eclampsia 
• Periodontal disease 
• Ulcerative colitis 
• Liver disease
• Epilepsy 
• Psoriasis 
• Atherosclerosis 
• Hypertension
• Breast cancer 
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Tinnitus 

 

 

 

What are the Sources of Vitamin D?

 

The body can make its Vitamin D through sun exposure. However, it can also be obtained from food. 

 

Following are some of the most important sources of vitamin D [4]:

 

• Salmon
• Vegetables
• Egg yolks
• Swordfish
• Tuna fish
• Fortified food
• Beef liver
• Dairy products
• Sardines
• Mushrooms
• Cereals
• Cod liver oil
• Cheese

 

 

 

What are the Functions of Vitamin D?

 

Vitamin D is essential for the normal functioning of the body. The following are some essential functions performed by Vitamin D [5]:

 

·Bone Health: 

 

Vitamin D is responsible for the strength of the bones. It regulates the absorption of calcium from the intestine and thus promotes bone growth. It also plays the following roles in the maintenance of bone health:

• Reduces fracture risk
• Helps in remodelling of the bones if fractured
• Strengthen the skeletal structure of the body
• Maintain bone density
• Mobilizes calcium 

 

 

·Muscle Strength: 

 

Vitamin D is essential for muscle strength and power. Metabolism of vitamin D produces a substance (1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3) critical to the muscles' proper contraction and relaxation.

 

 

 

·Dental Health: 

 

Vitamin D plays its part in the protection and strength of teeth. It helps maintain gum strength and protects from all types of dental infections.

 

 

·Wounds Healing:

 

Vitamin D is also involved in the pathways of natural healing processes. It promotes metabolism, growth, and repair of cells. It also aids in speeding up the process of wound healing.

  

  

·Gene Expression: 

 

Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) is an active form of vitamin D. It binds to intracellular receptors and plays a vital role in the transcription of DNA and the expression of genes. 

 

 

·Endocrine Management: 

 

The active form of vitamin D plays an important role in the secretion of parathyroid and thyroid hormones.

 

·Immune System: 

 

Vitamin D strengthens the immune system of the body and fastens the recovery process.

 

 

·Inflammation Reduction:  

 

Vitamin D plays a vital role in reducing inflammation and swelling. Vitamin D works by stimulating  T lymphocytes to decrease inflammation. This reduces the levels of C-reactive proteins in the body, prominent markers for inflammation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441912/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20undergoes%20two%20hydroxylations,receptors%20located%20throughout%20the%20body.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4168313/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%20and,eggs%20and%20mushrooms%20(35).
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20is%20known%20to,muscle%20strength%2C%20thereby%20preventing%20falls.

 

 

 

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