title: Vitamin D and bone disease.
abstract: Vitamin D is important for normal development and maintenance of the skeleton. Hypovitaminosis D adversely affects calcium metabolism, osteoblastic activity, matrix ossification, bone remodeling and bone density. It is well known that Vit. D deficiency in the developing skeleton is related to rickets, while in adults is related to osteomalacia. The causes of rickets include conditions that lead to hypocalcemia and/or hypophosphatemia, either isolated or secondary to vitamin D deficiency. In osteomalacia, Vit. D deficiency leads to impairment of the mineralisation phase of bone remodeling and thus an increasing amount of the skeleton being replaced by unmineralized osteoid. The relationship between Vit. D and bone mineral density and osteoporosis are still controversial while new evidence suggests that Vit. D may play a role in other bone conditions such as osteoarthritis and stress fractures. In order to maintain a "good bone health" guidelines concerning the recommended dietary intakes should be followed and screening for Vit. D deficiency in individuals at risk for deficiency is required, followed by the appropriate action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. s-chris76@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goula
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ververidis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Drosos
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010018:Osteomalacia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012279:Rickets / Q000503:physiopathology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D