Vitamin D: The Multifunctional Prohormone (printer friendly page)
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that vitamin D is an extremely
novel and important prohormone. Not only is vitamin D involved in calcium and
bone metabolism including the prevention of osteoporosis, but it has several other
functions of equal import. It was discovered by Dr. Michael Holick that vitamin D
is converted to 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (Calcitriol) in the liver and kidneys, and
this latter hormone is an important factor in inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D
levels in the blood markedly decreases the incidence of colon, breast, prostate
and other cancers. Receptors for vitamin D are found throughout the body.
Vitamin D may also play an important role in preventing heart disease. There are
receptors for vitamin D in pancreatic islet cells involved in insulin secretion. In fact
low vitamin D levels are associated with type I and type II Diabetes mellitus.
Vitamin D is important in cellular immunity and prevention of the autoimmune
diseases. It is actively involved in brain metabolism with links to depression.
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by muscle pain and
fatigue of unknown origin. It has been found that a majority of patients
presenting with symptoms of fibromyalgia are deficient in vitamin D. Treatment
with vitamin D3 is successful in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia in these
cases.
In northern latitudes in the United States as well as in Canada, it is very common
to develop vitamin D deficiency during fall, winter and spring due to decreased
ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun. This is especially true in northern
California. Nutritionally there are few sources of vitamin D in the diet, so
supplementation with vitamin D in capsule form may be necessary to prevent
deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin D is present in certain fish and fish oils and is
synthesized in the skin from exposure of a cholesterol derivative to to USB. Milk
products are supplemented with low levels of vitamin D. It is also in egg yolk.
The level of vitamin D in the body is assayed by a blood test measuring serum
25- hydroxy vitamin D. This can be used to determine an adequate intake of
vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation is also extremely important during
pregnancy to ensure proper development of the fetus and to prevent later life
diseases. Forty percent of the American population is vitamin D deficient. A high
percentage of pregnant women are also deficient in vitamin D. Consult your
physician for advice regarding proper supplementation with vitamin D.
Reference: Vitamin D Deficiency, M. F. Holick, NEJM, 257, 266-281, 2007.
In recent years it has become increasingly clear that vitamin D is an extremely
novel and important prohormone. Not only is vitamin D involved in calcium and
bone metabolism including the prevention of osteoporosis, but it has several other
functions of equal import. It was discovered by Dr. Michael Holick that vitamin D
is converted to 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (Calcitriol) in the liver and kidneys, and
this latter hormone is an important factor in inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Epidemiological evidence strongly suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D
levels in the blood markedly decreases the incidence of colon, breast, prostate
and other cancers. Receptors for vitamin D are found throughout the body.
Vitamin D may also play an important role in preventing heart disease. There are
receptors for vitamin D in pancreatic islet cells involved in insulin secretion. In fact
low vitamin D levels are associated with type I and type II Diabetes mellitus.
Vitamin D is important in cellular immunity and prevention of the autoimmune
diseases. It is actively involved in brain metabolism with links to depression.
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by muscle pain and
fatigue of unknown origin. It has been found that a majority of patients
presenting with symptoms of fibromyalgia are deficient in vitamin D. Treatment
with vitamin D3 is successful in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia in these
cases.
In northern latitudes in the United States as well as in Canada, it is very common
to develop vitamin D deficiency during fall, winter and spring due to decreased
ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun. This is especially true in northern
California. Nutritionally there are few sources of vitamin D in the diet, so
supplementation with vitamin D in capsule form may be necessary to prevent
deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin D is present in certain fish and fish oils and is
synthesized in the skin from exposure of a cholesterol derivative to to USB. Milk
products are supplemented with low levels of vitamin D. It is also in egg yolk.
The level of vitamin D in the body is assayed by a blood test measuring serum
25- hydroxy vitamin D. This can be used to determine an adequate intake of
vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation is also extremely important during
pregnancy to ensure proper development of the fetus and to prevent later life
diseases. Forty percent of the American population is vitamin D deficient. A high
percentage of pregnant women are also deficient in vitamin D. Consult your
physician for advice regarding proper supplementation with vitamin D.
Reference: Vitamin D Deficiency, M. F. Holick, NEJM, 257, 266-281, 2007.
Vitamin D
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| Copyright 2008 R.S. Isaac Gardner. |