title: Vitamin D safety and requirements.
abstract: Vitamin D an ancient secosteroid is essential for mineral homeostasis, bone remodeling, immune modulation, and energy metabolism. Recently, debates have emerged about the daily vitamin D requirements for healthy and elderly adults, the safety and efficacy of long term supplementation and the role of vitamin D deficiency in several chronic disease states. Since this molecule acts as both a vitamin and a hormone, it should not be surprising that the effects of supplementation are multi-faceted and complex. Yet despite significant progress in the last decade, our understanding of vitamin D physiology and the clinical relevance of low circulating levels of this vitamin remains incomplete. The present review provides the reader with a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of vitamin D requirements and safety. It also raises some provocative research questions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900 SP, Brazil. fjpaula@fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Francisco J A
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: Clifford J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D012621:Seasons; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D