Vitamin D effects on musculoskeletal health, immunity, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, fertility, pregnancy, dementia and mortality—a review of recent …

P Pludowski, MF Holick, S Pilz, CL Wagner… - Autoimmunity …, 2013 - Elsevier
P Pludowski, MF Holick, S Pilz, CL Wagner, BW Hollis, WB Grant, Y Shoenfeld
Autoimmunity reviews, 2013Elsevier
Background Optimal vitamin D intake and its status are important not only for bone and
calcium-phosphate metabolism, but also for overall health and well-being. Vitamin D
deficiency and insufficiency as a global health problem are likely to be a risk for wide
spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses. Methods A review of randomized controlled trials,
meta-analyses, and other evidence of vitamin D action on various health outcomes. Results
Adequate vitamin D status seems to be protective against musculoskeletal disorders …
Background
Optimal vitamin D intake and its status are important not only for bone and calcium-phosphate metabolism, but also for overall health and well-being. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as a global health problem are likely to be a risk for wide spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses.
Methods
A review of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other evidence of vitamin D action on various health outcomes.
Results
Adequate vitamin D status seems to be protective against musculoskeletal disorders (muscle weakness, falls, fractures), infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, several types of cancer, neurocognitive dysfunction and mental illness, and other diseases, as well as infertility and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is associated with all-cause mortality.
Conclusions
Adequate vitamin D supplementation and sensible sunlight exposure to reach optimal vitamin D status are among the front line factors of prophylaxis for the spectrum of disorders. Supplementation guidance and population strategies for the eradication of vitamin D deficiency must be included in the priorities of physicians, medical professionals and healthcare policy-makers.
Elsevier