Many health advantages of vitamin D exist. Those with vitamin d drops deficiency or inadequacy are more likely to experience musculoskeletal issues. They include osteoporosis, a higher chance of fractures, a higher chance of falling, and diminished muscle function.
A significant portion of nursing home residents have osteoporosis. A bone disorder called osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mass and a higher risk of fracture. Osteopenia affects 34 million People, but osteoporosis affects 10 million. According to estimates, osteoporosis affects 70 to 85 percent of residents at nursing homes.
Inadequate calcium consumption is linked to osteoporosis, whereas vitamin D aids in calcium absorption. The risk of osteoporosis increases with a prolonged vitamin D deficiency2. Osteoporosis may be prevented with vitamin D in non-ambulatory older persons, those taking long-term steroids, and postmenopausal women.
The possibility exists that vitamin D administration will improve bone density. In one study, vitamin D supplementation of 50,000 international units twice a week for five weeks increased the density of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck bone in those who were vitamin D deficient.
In institutionalized older persons, calcium and vitamin D combined minimize fractures, whereas vitamin D alone is ineffective in lowering the incidence of falls or fractures. Low vitamin D levels in older adults increase the risk of hip fractures and lower muscular mass and strength.
There is a chance that vitamin D will lower the risk of falling. It might accomplish this by making muscles work better. The worst muscle function is associated with low blood levels of vitamin D, while the best muscle function is associated with greater levels. While taking vitamin D supplements, individuals with low baseline levels of blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (between 10 and 20 ng/ml) are likely to have the greatest improvements in muscle strength.
The risk of falling is decreased when vitamin D supplementation is taken in levels of 700 to 1000 international units per day. The risk of falls was actually enhanced when cholecalciferol was administered once per year in doses of 500,000 units.
Cancer and vitamin D
Cancer and vitamin D have been linked, according to research. The prevention of colon, breast, and prostate cancer may be aided by vitamin D. Animals lacking in the vitamin D receptor have been related to precancerous lesions of the breast and gut.
Poor vitamin D status has been associated with numerous malignancies. Those with low vitamin D status have an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer. According to one study, people who get 1000 IU of vitamin D daily have a lower risk of colorectal cancer. A different investigation revealed that the risk of colorectal cancer is inversely correlated with vitamin D intake. The National Cancer Institute does not recommend for or against the use of vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of colorectal or any other type of cancer, despite the favorable findings on vitamin D. This is because the study is inconsistent.
A lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D content has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in several studies, although results did not achieve statistical significance. The impact of vitamin D on the risk of breast cancer requires further study.
Some data suggests that vitamin D can be hazardous. One significant prospective study found no evidence that vitamin D lowers the risk of prostate cancer, and that higher levels of circulating vitamin D may increase the risk of aggressive illness. According to another studies, people with the greatest levels of vitamin D may have a higher chance of developing pancreatic cancer.
While some study indicating that vitamin D lowers the incidence of various cancers, the most recent data do not support the use of high doses of vitamin D to prevent cancer. According to a significant investigation involving more than 16,000 individuals, the vitamin D level at birth had little bearing on overall cancer mortality. Overall, the evidence against vitamin D’s function in cancer prevention is weak. To precisely pinpoint how vitamin D and cancer are related, more study is required.
system of defense
Immune system impacts are brought on by vitamin D. Animal autoimmune disease risk may be lowered by vitamin D. Diabetes mellitus type 1, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease are among the illnesses whose severity may be influenced by vitamin D levels.
Early infancy vitamin D supplementation lowers the risk of type 1 diabetes. According to one study, people with blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below 20 ng/mL had a roughly twofold greater risk of developing multiple sclerosis in the future. Only animal, in vitro, and epidemiological research have so far suggested a connection between vitamin D and diabetes/multiple sclerosis. Randomized controlled trials must take place before a clear conclusion can be drawn.
A lower risk of Crohn’s disease is linked to higher vitamin D levels. In animals, the onset of autoimmune processes (including inflammatory bowel disease) is associated with inadequate control of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation could help these symptoms.
Vitamin D may aid in the fight against viral and bacterial illnesses. The amount of vitamin D is related to tuberculosis. Those with TB may experience vitamin D insufficiency more frequently. Further studies are required before concluding that vitamin D has a part in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Although there isn’t much evidence to support it, vitamin D levels may help prevent viral infections of the respiratory system. There is no connection between vitamin D status and the prevention of viral respiratory infections, according to numerous research. A more recent study hypothesized that vitamin D administration could lower the incidence of tuberculosis and viral upper respiratory tract infections.
heart and vitamin D
Vitamin D controls a large number of genes in the cardiovascular system. Heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure have all been linked to vitamin D insufficiency. Few research have examined the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. According to observational study, vitamin D level and cardiovascular disease may be related. To understand how vitamin D supplementation affects cardiovascular disease, more research is required.
Vitamin D contributes to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system. Incident hypertension and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are inversely correlated. To prove a causal link between vitamin D levels and blood pressure, more study is required.
Five of the seven studies included in a review research revealed a negative correlation between cardiovascular disease and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. When compared to people with greater levels, those with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations have a higher frequency of coronary heart disease. Vitamin D supplementation had no favorable effects on cardiovascular disease risk variables, and there was no benefit noticed even after serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were raised from 23 ng/mL to above 40 ng/mL.
Vitamin D and Other Illnesses
Vitamin D and diabetes are related. As was said above, vitamin D and type 1 diabetes are related. Diabetes type 2 is correlated with low vitamin D levels. A lower incidence of type 2 diabetes is linked to higher vitamin D intake levels. Despite these associations, vitamin D interventional trials have not shown that taking vitamin D supplements lowers the chance of developing diabetes.
Given how crucial vitamin D is for brain growth, psychopathology may be related to it. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been found to be low in people with depression and Alzheimer’s disease. These studies do not prove that these illnesses are brought on by low vitamin D levels.
