Role of Vitamin D in Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Vitamin D is one of the essential nutrients to sustain the human health. Vitamin D functions in the body through both an endocrine mechanism (regulation of calcium absorption) and an autocrine mechanism (facilitation of gene expression). The role of Vitamin D deficiency in increasing the risk factor of many common and serious chronic diseases, including cancers, type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Numerous epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to sunlight, which enhances the production of Vitamin D₃ in the skin, is important in preventing many chronic diseases. 25(OH)D (25-hydrovitamin D) is the metabolite that should be measured in the blood to determine Vitamin D status. 25(OH)D deficiency is prevalent in infants who are solely breastfed and who do not receive Vitamin D₃ supplementation and in adults of all ages who have increased skin pigmentation or who always wear sun protection or limit their outdoor activities. It is therefore necessary to know the adverse health effects of 25(OH)D deficiency and to design intervention and early treatments for those who are likely to have low levels of 25(OH)D.