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Vitamin D: the light side of sunshine

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 986–993 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Under normal circumstances, vitamin D is mainly obtained from skin through the action of ultraviolet B irradiation on 7-dehydrocholesterol. It is further metabolized to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), the major circulating vitamin D compound, and then to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the hormonal form. The major function of vitamin D compounds is to enhance active absorption of ingested calcium (and phosphate). This assists in building bone at younger ages and ensures that despite obligatory urinary losses, bone does not need to be resorbed to maintain blood calcium concentrations. Vitamin D compounds appear to have direct effects to improve bone and muscle function, and there is good, although not entirely consistent, evidence that supplemental vitamin D and calcium together reduce falls and fractures in older individuals. On the basis of calcium control and musculoskeletal function, target levels for 25OHD in blood are at least 50–60 nmol/l and there may be a case for higher targets of 75–80 nmol/l. There are vitamin D receptors in most nucleated cells and some evidence, although not consistent, that adequate vitamin D levels may be important in reducing the incidence of, or mortality from, some cancers and in reducing autoimmune disease. Adequate vitamin D may also allow for a normal innate immune response to pathogens, improve cardiovascular function and mortality and increase insulin responsiveness. Vitamin D levels are maintained better in the presence of adequate calcium intakes, more exercise and less obesity. Genetic variation may have an effect on vitamin D blood levels and response to treatment with vitamin D.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported, in part, by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, New South Wales Cancer Council and The University of Sydney. Project funding has also been received from Nestle Australia. Research funding has been received from Nestle Australia and from Servier, France (for unrelated work). Honoraria have been provided by Servier, Australia, Nestle, Australia, the Australian Mushroom Growers Association and Bayer Healthcare Australia.

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  1. Department of Physiology, Physiology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    R S Mason, V B Sequeira & C Gordon-Thomson

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Mason, R., Sequeira, V. & Gordon-Thomson, C. Vitamin D: the light side of sunshine. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 986–993 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.105

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