Vitamin D effects on musculoskeletal health, immunity, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, fertility, pregnancy, dementia and mortality—A review of recent evidence
Abstract
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.
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Observational studies point towards a positive association of vitamin D and insulin sensitivity.
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- Authors
- Pludowski, P., Holick, M. F., Pilz, S., Wagner, C. L., Hollis, B. W., Grant, W. B., Shoenfeld, Y., Lerchbaum, E., Llewellyn, D. J., Kienreich, K., & Soni, M.
- Affiliations
- Boston University (US)
- Medical University of Graz (AT)
- Medical University of South Carolina (US)
- Sunlight Nutrition and Health Research Center (US)
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- University of Exeter (GB)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Autoimmunity Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2013-08
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 976-989
- ISSN
- 1568-9972 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2016591779
- Cited by
- 836
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 67 · 2018: 71 · 2017: 83 · 2016: 76 · 2015: 91 · 2014: 82 · 2013: 20
- FWCI
- 13.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Autoimmunity Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin K Research Studies
- Keywords
- vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D insufficiency, vitamin D supplementation, sun exposure, musculoskeletal health, falls and fractures, muscle weakness, immunity, autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, dementia, neurocognitive impairment, mental illness, mortality
- MeSH terms
- Calcium, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamins, Global Health, Dietary Supplements
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