Vitamin D: It's not just for bones anymore

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chesney, Russell W.

Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap, Memphis, TN 38103, USA. Tel.: +1 901 287 6106; Fax: +1 901 287 5028; E-mail: rchesney@uthsc.edu

Abstract: It has become apparent that large segments of the population have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. This is of concern because vitamin D has biologic actions that influence immunity, inflammation, and oncogenesis in more than 30 tissues types with vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with numerous disorders, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and several types of cancer. Sufficient circulating levels of vitamin D are critical not only for healthy bones, but for many aspects of human health. The maintenance of adequate body stores of vitamin D depends on exposure to sunlight and dietary intake. Cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D and safe levels of dietary supplementation are discussed.

Keywords: Vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, cathelicidin, immunomodulation, vitamin D supplementation

DOI: 10.3233/JPB-2010-0024

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Biochemistry, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 233-237, 2010/2011