Sabrina Del Fico A recent study published in Endocrine Reviews has brought new knowledge about vitamin D, while also paving the way for further investigations.
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The term “vitamin” often leads to an underestimation of the importance of Vitamin D, which is now considered a pleiotropic hormone with beneficial effects on many aspects of health that may seem unrelated at first glance. Interestingly, Vitamin D enters every cell in our body, as each cell has a specific receptor for it.
Vitamin D deficiency is defined when blood levels fall below 30 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). However, this level is not considered optimal, particularly from a preventive perspective, and many countries are now raising the minimum recommended levels.
In certain health conditions, for athletes, and in cases of obesity, maintaining higher levels is often advised. Currently, it’s estimated that about 40% of the population is deficient in Vitamin D, with some research indicating even higher percentages.
The study titled “Consensus Statement on Vitamin D Status Assessment and Supplementation: Whys, Whens, and Hows” covers various aspects, including Vitamin D metabolism, level evaluation, recommended actions, and supplementation.
The study
This study represents a significant contribution to better understanding this essential molecule. It is well-known that about 90% of the body’s Vitamin D is produced by the skin in response to sun exposure. However, production tends to decrease with age.
The concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the blood remains the primary marker for assessing Vitamin D levels in the body. However, the lack of standardization in testing makes it difficult to compare data and conduct broader analyses, highlighting the need for new, reliable methodologies.
Optimal levels of Vitamin D are still a subject of debate, so current recommendations continue to be based on the guidelines found in reports. According to recent studies, daily intake of Vitamin D is the most effective. However, monthly dosing has also been proposed to improve therapy.
Vitamin D deficiency and side effects
Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium absorption, leading to hyperparathyroidism, bone loss, and an increased risk of fractures, especially in older adults. Supplementing with Vitamin D and calcium significantly reduces this risk.
There is also a positive correlation between Vitamin D, the immune system, and type 2 diabetes, and it is hypothesized that Vitamin D may have a favorable impact on cardiovascular events and overall mortality.
While some initial studies did not find significant links between Vitamin D levels and certain diseases—likely due to methodological limitations—subsequent research has suggested benefits in reducing the risk of cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular events, and diabetes.
Causes of Deficiency
Vitamin D production decreases with age, but low sun exposure is one of the primary causes of deficiency. Modern lifestyles, which often keep us indoors, contribute to this problem, and children who spend little time outdoors can also have low Vitamin D levels.
Additionally, while the widespread use of sunscreen is important for protecting against UV rays, it significantly reduces Vitamin D absorption. But that’s not all—a compromised lymphatic system can also negatively affect the use of Vitamin D, as it tends to accumulate in fat cells (adipocytes) and requires the lymphatic system for mobilization and utilization.
Source: Endocrine Reviews
