Vitamin D Deficiency and Management

Abstract

Vitamin D, a vital fat-soluble nutrient, plays a critical role in proper functioning of various metabolic activities in the body. Acting as both a vitamin and hormone, it influences the synthesis and production of key molecules in the body. It affects the several metabolic activities such as calcium and phosphorus absorption, direct production of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and other direct and indirect roles under current research. Vitamin D impacts cancerous cell growth control, immune system enhancement, and reduction of infections and inflammations. The presence of vitamin D receptors in organs and tissues prompts ongoing exploration of its roles, particularly in the peripheral and central nervous systems, as observed in conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. Vitamin D deficiency leads to syndromic clinical conditions with chronic low serum levels, while severe deficiency can result in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, potentially causing life-threatening events such as coma, paralysis, and cardiac arrest.