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vitamin d moleculeScientific Review

Vitamin D has been the forgotten vitamin. Once the link between Vitamin D deficiency and Rickets was made in the 19th century the scientific community has ignored this powerful compound. However, recently interest in Vitamin D has resurfaced as the scientific community understands its true potential. Daily discoveries are being made that further our understanding of the health benefits of Vitamin D.

Cardiovascular Health
It has been demonstrated that many if not all people with cardiovascular disease are Vitamin D deficient. Studies have found a direct link between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease. Clinical trials have shown that Vitamin D supplementation reduced blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and inflammatory cytokines.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been associated with the cardiovascular disease risk factors of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome, as well as cardiovascular disease events including stroke and congestive heart failure. Studies suggest vitamin D deficiency may be a contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease potentially through associations with diabetes or hypertension. [1]

Bone Heath including Osteoporosis (Misdiagnosed Fibromyalgia)
Adequate Vitamin D levels have long been linked to good bone health. Vitamin D is crucial to the absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus. When calcium levels are low in the blood the body responds by dissolving bone as a source of calcium. This lowering of bone density is the primary characteristic of osteoporosis.

 Additionally, Vitamin D deficiency allows more phosphorus to enter the urine lowering serum levels of this important bone-building mineral. In children the lack of serum calcium and phosphorus is link to Rickets. In adults the lack of these minerals can lead to osteomalacia. Osteomalacia is characterized by throbbing bone pain that is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, myositis, or chronic fatigue syndrome.[2]

Cancer Prevention
In a famous study published in June, 2007 the power of Vitamin D as a anti-cancer compound was demonstrated. In the study a group of women received Vitamin D supplement while the other did not. The group that received the supplements had a 60% reduced risk for the development of cancer. [3]

Additionally, some researchers suggest that intakes of between 1000 and 4000 IU of vitamin D may offer significant protective effects against cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, ovary lungs and pancreas. As a result public health agencies are revising the guidelines concerning vitamin D [6].  There are numerous other studies that indicate vitamin D  deficiency may be associated with cancer risk, with rodent studies showing vitamin D3 therapy can delay the ability of a carcinogen to induce cancer [4].

Type 2 Diabetes

The occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes is increasing in the United States at an alarming rate. There are over 1 million new cases every year. How ever ongoing research is finding links between Vitamin D deficiencies and incident rates of Diabetes. It is thought that Vitamin D may support beta cell function (the insulin producing cells found in the Pancreas). While these studies are ongoing the initial results are very promising. [5]

Autoimmune Diseases Including Lupus and IBS
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the deterioration of the body’s tissues s a result of chronic attack by the body’s own immune system. While it has been a long held understanding that these disease have a strong genetic factor recent study’s have identified important environmental factors as well. One such factor Vitamin D. The research has linked Vitamin D with insulin-dependent diabetes, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that Vitamin D regulate T helper cell development by inhibiting Th1 and inducing other CD4+ T cell populations. When the body is deficient in Vitamin D the immune system favors the development of self-reactive T cells and autoimmunity. [6]
  1. Michos, E.D., & Melamed , M.L. (2008). Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 11, 7-12.
  2. Holick, M.F., The vitamin D epidemic and its health consequences. J Nutr, 2005. 135(11):p. 2739S-48S.
  3. (2007, June 8). Vitamin D cuts cancer risk: study. Forbes
  4. Adak, T., et al., Lactate dehydrogenase allozyme differentiation of species in the Anopheles culicifacies complex. Med Vet Entomol, 1994. 8(2): p. 137-40.
  5. Pittas, A.G., Lau, J., Hu, F., & Dawson-Hughes, B. The role of Vitamin D and calcium in type 2 diabetes. A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 June ; 92(6): 2017–2029.
  6. Cantorna, M.T., & Mahon, B.D. (2004). Mounting evidence for vitamin d as an environmental factor affecting autoimmune disease prevalence. Experimental Biology and Medicine . 229, 1136-1142.