INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN D ON HUMAN HEALTH (REVIEW)

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and calcium regulation.
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to bone disorders and increased risk in specific populations.
• Emerging research highlights vitamin D's role in immune function and respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between vitamin D levels and respiratory diseases.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reducing respiratory morbidity.
• To synthesize evidence from observational studies and randomized trials.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
• Literature search across major databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) and clinical trial registries.
• Inclusion of studies published between 2011 and 2021.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D plays a role in both innate and adaptive immune responses.
• Hypovitaminosis D is correlated with increased susceptibility to infections.
• Meta-analyses suggest vitamin D supplementation may reduce respiratory disease morbidity, including pneumonia severity.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D supplementation shows potential in reducing respiratory disease incidence and severity.
• Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
• Optimal vitamin D concentrations and supplementation guidelines require further investigation.