Vitamin D - Current Concepts

Abstract

Vitamin D has important benefits in reducing the risk of many conditions and diseases. In addition to its well-known effects on rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis vitamin D influences muscle function, cardiovascular homeostasis, nervous function, and the immune response. Those diseases for which the benefits are well supported and that have large economic effects include many types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, several bacterial and viral infections, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency is high throughout the world. The currently recommended daily vitamin D intake of 5-15µg is too low to achieve an adequate vitamin D status in individuals with only moderate skin synthesis. Thus, there is a need to recommend a vitamin D intake that is effective for achieving adequate circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (>75 nmol/L).