Vitamin D, an essential nutrient with versatile functions in nearly all organs.
For decades, vitamin D has been known to be essential in the development, function, and maintenance of healthy bones through the regulation of calcium homeostasis throughout life. Sufficient vitamin D prevents the occurrence of rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. The adequate nutritional intake of vitamin D and calcium are the basis for the prevention and management of osteoporosis, a disease producing brittle bones that are prone to fractures. Vitamin D has been implicated in the regulation of neuromuscular function and in reducing the risk of falls, a major cause of bone fractures. Thus vitamin D may be a central component of musculoskeletal health through its beneficial effects on muscle function and bone stability. The action of vitamin D by the active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], however, is not limited to its endocrine function in bone metabolism. The active metabolite behaves as a hormone and binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) present in nearly all tissues of the human body. In addition, the 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme is present not only in the kidney but also in many other organs. Both vitamin and enzyme exert their biological effects via paracrine/autocrine actions related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and the immune system. Thus vitamin D may show favorable effects in many organs and play a significant role in the maintenance of general health.
DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
Elisabeth
E
Stöcklin
DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
Manfred
M
Eggersdorfer
D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
falls; fractures; health benefits; recommendations; vitamin D; vitamin D deficiency