Vitamin D as a drug.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism, with deficiency linked to conditions like rickets and osteopenia.
• Emerging evidence highlights vitamin D's non-calcitropic functions, impacting various physiological systems.
• Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread global health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the multifaceted roles of vitamin D beyond bone metabolism.
• To underscore the significance of vitamin D in preventing and managing various chronic diseases.
• To emphasize the importance of vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic strategy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on vitamin D's role in bone and non-bone health.
• Analysis of epidemiological data correlating vitamin D levels with disease prevalence.
• Synthesis of research on the therapeutic applications of vitamin D.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D deficiency is associated with preterm osteopenia, craniotabes, and rickets.
• Vitamin D deficiency correlates with chronic kidney disease, respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, Crohn disease, and neonatal hypocalcemia.
• The non-calcitropic functions of vitamin D are increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D is essential for maintaining bone health and has broader systemic effects.
• Addressing vitamin D deficiency is fundamental for public health due to its widespread impact.
• Vitamin D's role as a therapeutic agent is critical for human health across all life stages.