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Vitamin D: The "Sunshine" Vitamin
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DonateVitamin D insufficiency affects almost 50% of the population worldwide. An estimated 1 billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have a vitamin D deficiency (VDD). This pandemic of hypovitaminosis D can mainly be attributed to lifestyle (for example, reduced outdoor activities) and environmental (for example, air pollution) factors that reduce exposure to sunlight, which is required for ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced vitamin D production in the skin.
High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is a particularly important public health issue because hypovitaminosis D is an independent risk factor for total mortality in the general population. Current studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease. As the number of people with VDD continues to increase, the importance of this hormone in overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases are at the forefront of research. VDD is very common in all age groups.
The major source of vitamin D for children and adults is exposure to natural sunlight.
Obtaining sufficient vitamin D from natural food sources alone is difficult. Consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods and exposure to some sunlight are essential for maintaining a healthy vitamin D status. Dietary supplements might be required to meet the daily need for vitamin D in some group of people.
Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism
Obtaining sufficient vitamin D from natural food sources alone is difficult. Consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods and exposure to some sunlight are essential for maintaining a healthy vitamin D status. Dietary supplements might be required to meet the daily need for vitamin D in some group of people.
Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism
Vitamin D has been identified as a key factor in dopaminergic neurogenesis and differentiation. Consequently, developmental vitamin D deficiency has been linked to disorders of abnormal dopamine signaling with a neurodevelopmental basis.
Evidence of vitamin D’s role as a mediator of dopaminergic development by showing that it increases neurite outgrowth, neurite branching, presynaptic protein re-distribution, dopamine production and functional release in various in vitro models of developing dopaminergic cells including SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic cultures and mesencephalic/striatal explant co-cultures.
This study continues to establish vitamin D as an important differentiation agent for developing dopamine neurons, and now for the first time shows chronic exposure to the active vitamin D hormone increases the capacity of developing neurons to release dopamine.
Evidence of vitamin D’s role as a mediator of dopaminergic development by showing that it increases neurite outgrowth, neurite branching, presynaptic protein re-distribution, dopamine production and functional release in various in vitro models of developing dopaminergic cells including SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic cultures and mesencephalic/striatal explant co-cultures.
This study continues to establish vitamin D as an important differentiation agent for developing dopamine neurons, and now for the first time shows chronic exposure to the active vitamin D hormone increases the capacity of developing neurons to release dopamine.
Inadequate vitamin D status also correlates with a greater risk for cognitive decline in the elderly, suggesting that optimal levels may promote healthy brain aging. Because the brain expresses vitamin D receptors (VDRs) and can synthesize the active form of the hormone, the possible cognitive enhancing effects of vitamin D may reflect a primary action in the brain rather than a result of secondary systemic effects.
Vitamin D is vital for our body as it regulates calcium homeostasis and maintains bone integrity.
Vitamin D aids in the function of neuronal and glial tissue and the many health consequences in a person with vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D aids in the function of neuronal and glial tissue and the many health consequences in a person with vitamin D deficiency.
Several studies show the link between vitamin D and depression. a study, shows optimal levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream are necessary to preserve the neurological development and protect the adult brain.
Balanced dietary intake is a well-established lifestyle factor in maintaining cognition during ageing. Due to its effect on dopamine pathway in the brain, vitamin D can be a useful therapeutic agent used as an intervention therapy to be combined with existing treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
In conclusion, vitamin D is essential to maintain important functions of the body such as neurodevelopment.
Balanced dietary intake is a well-established lifestyle factor in maintaining cognition during ageing. Due to its effect on dopamine pathway in the brain, vitamin D can be a useful therapeutic agent used as an intervention therapy to be combined with existing treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
In conclusion, vitamin D is essential to maintain important functions of the body such as neurodevelopment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132681/#:~:text=Its%20deficiency%20has%20been%20linked,mellitus%2C%20autism%2C%20and%20schizophrenia.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/
