Functions of vitamin D
Vitamin D probably most well-known as an essential component in bone maintenance. There are many and quite complex processes that take place specifically in the intestines and kidneys to maintain this perfect balance (also called homeostasis). Initially how this link was first observed was when Polish physician, Jerdrzei Sniadecki, realized that rickets, the bone-softening disease in children, could be prevented and cured with sunlight. Since this discovery, vitamin D has been recognised as a crucial part of calcium-phosphorus homeostasis and consequently, bone health.
Since there are several vitamin D receptors in the body, it is apparent that this nutrient has numerous other functions as well. For instance, vitamin D influences up to 5% of the genes in the human genome. Additionally, 200 – 600 genes are primary targets for vitamin D (these genes are directly involved with vitamin D receptors). This means that vitamin D may increase or decrease the expression of a target gene.
Over and above the genetic influences, vitamin D receptors are found in many cell membranes, including those in the brain, gonads, skin, vascular smooth muscle, and immune system.
These are a few ways in which vitamin D appears to maintain health:
- Cancer: Suppresses the growth and stimulates the differentiation and apoptosis (cell death) of some forms of cancer, especially breast, prostate and colon cancer.
- Diabetes: Triggers the transcription (copying) of the gene that is responsible for insulin receptors in target cells (therefore improving insulin sensitivity) and activates the release of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas.
- Cardiovascular disease: reduces blood pressure by lowering the release of renin from the kidneys and decreasing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
- Muscular function: enhances calcium uptake by the muscles and the release of calcium within the muscle for appropriate contraction.
- Immunity: upregulates macrophages’ production of cathelicidin, a protein that helps them fight illnesses such as respiratory infections and tuberculosis.
- Macrophages are immunity cells that eat bacteria, fungi, and viruses, like Pacman.
- This characteristic is also why vitamin D might be beneficial in Covid-19 treatment.
- Mental health such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia: Preserves the dopaminergic neurons in the brain.
- Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus: suppresses the harmful autoimmune response.
It is not only diet and sun exposure that affects vitamin D levels, other factors related to health and a healthy lifestyle influence it too. For example, decreased levels of vitamin D have been observed in people with metabolic syndrome (particularly looking at HDL cholesterol and waist circumference). Also, higher vitamin D levels have been observed in individuals who didn’t smoke, had normal blood pressure and serum lipid levels (blood fats) and who did not abuse alcohol.
There are also a few interesting factors that affect our vitamin D status that might not be in our control. For example, is the individual’s age (as the skin ages, its ability to produce vitamin D when exposed to sunrays diminishes). Also, those with a naturally darker skin tone require up to five times longer sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D in the skin as do those with a very fair skin tone.
There are also various medications that might be responsible for decreased vitamin D levels. Among the medications that may cause increased vitamin D catabolism (breakdown) are anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, antifungals such as ketoconazole, and highly active antiretroviral therapy for AIDS.
Sources of vitamin D
For people, sunlight is the most efficient source of vitamin D. However, due to the risk for skin cancer with excess sun exposure people are advised to wear sunscreen while outside which significantly decreases the amount of vitamin D produced by the skin. To put it in perspective, using an SPF 30 sunscreen reduces the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D by at least 95%.
Another very interesting point to consider is the zenith angle of the sun, as demonstrated in the picture below. The smaller the zenith angle of the sun, the less vitamin D can be produced by the skin.
