Vitamin D (calciferol) is called the sunshine vitamin because the body needs UV-B rays to make it from cholesterol. It acts on many different organs, which is why it is essential for our life. Learn about the properties and effects of vitamin D.

Vitamin D2 or D3?

Two forms of vitamin D are of physiological significance: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), but the former is found in plants and yeast, the latter can be found in animal products - meat, fish, eggs and smacking. In the products available on the market, cholecalciferol is the leader.

Sun or supplement?

The question arises: isn't adequate sun exposure enough to get the right amount in the body? To obtain 2000-4000 IU, 18% of the body (e.g. arms and lower legs) should be exposed daily for at least 15 minutes. Unfortunately, statistics show that the inhabitants of our climate zone are deficient in vitamin D. This means that supplementation is necessary. Whether spring-summer or year-round - this should be determined by the results of blood tests (the optimal concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood is from 30 to 50 ng / ml (75-125 nmol / l). Year-round supplementation is used in people 65. Determination and supplementation of vitamin D deficiency should also be used in the case of diseases in which vitamin D deficiency is noted. These include:

  • diseases of the skeletal system: osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets;
  • hyperparathyroidism;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • obesity;
  • Malabsorption Syndrome.

Year-round supplementation should also be considered in the case of an elimination diet, which lacks "supplies" of vitamin D.

Vitamin or hormone?

Although called a vitamin, it has a structure similar to that of steroid hormones and acts on many different organs. It controls over 200 genes in the body. Interestingly, vitamin D receptors are found on most cells in the human body, including in bone cells, on the intestinal epithelium, parathyroid glands, in the heart, brain, lymphocytes and macrophages. The importance of vitamin D in the hormonal economy is so broad that its effectiveness is currently being investigated not only by endocrinologists, but also by othersspecialists (oncologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists).

Prevention or treatment?

The action of vitamin D is comprehensive. It appears as one of the recommended components of many therapies: osteoporosis, muscle tissue diseases, incl. myopathy and muscular atrophy, metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and also as a preventive measure against many cancers. Without it, the proper functioning of the immune system and the nervous system would also not be possible.

Its main task, however, is the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which means that without vitamin D3 the proper structure and functioning of bones and teeth would not be possible. Active metabolites of vitamin D (calcitriol) influence the absorption of calcium in the intestine. If the vitamin D concentration in the body is too low, the calcium supplied with the diet will be absorbed in a very small amount. In such a situation, despite receiving adequate amounts of calcium with the diet, it will still be released from bone reservoirs and may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Probiotics or vitamin D?

In the fight against osteoporosis, it is best to gather as many allies as possible. As shown by a study by Per-Anders Jansson from 2022, three strains from the group of lactic acid bacteria:Lactobacillus paracasei8700: 2 , Lactobacillus plantarumHeal 9 andLactobacillus plantarumHeal 19 can significantly reduce bone mineral loss (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(19)30068-2/fulltext) in turn, statistics show that constant intake of vitamin D3 can reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures by up to 40%! Strength in the team.

There is one more important message. Recent clinical studies have shown significant links between vitamin D and the composition of the gut microbiota. Vitamin D consumption contributes to the growth ofBacteroidesbacteria and reduces the presence ofPrevotella . On the other hand, there are reports that some gut bacteria can influence the metabolism of vitamin D and support its conversion to its active form (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.03141/full).

Category:

Anatomy