Vitamin D in older population: new roles for this 'classic actor'?
Vitamin D is a group of lipophilic hormones with pleiotropic actions. It has been traditionally related to bone metabolism, although several studies in the last decade have suggested its role in muscle strength and falls, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, insulin-resistance and diabetes, malignancies, autoimmune diseases and infections. Vitamin D appears to be a hormone with several actions and is fundamental for many biological systems including bone, skeletal muscle, brain and heart. The estimated worldwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of 50% in elderly subjects underlines the importance of vitamin D deficiency for public health. In this review, we will describe changes in vitamin D levels with age in both sexes, cut off values to define Vitamin D status, the impact of vitamin D deficiency in age-related disease and finally different therapeutic options available to treat Vitamin D deficiency in older populations.
Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy. flauretani@ao.pr.it
Fulvio
F
Lauretani
Marcello
M
Maggio
Giorgio
G
Valenti
Elisabetta
E
Dall'Aglio
Gian Paolo
GP
Ceda
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D012737:Sex Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D014807:Vitamin D