Vitamin D is extremely important for regulating cell growth and for cell-to-cell communication. Some studies have suggested that calcitriol (the hormonally active form of vitamin D) may slow cancer progression by slowing the growth and development of new blood vessels in cancer tissue, increasing death of cancer cells, and reducing proliferation. cell and metastasis. Vitamin D influences more than 200 human genes, which could be affected when we do not have enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension , multiple sclerosis, autism , Alzheimer’s disease , rheumatoid arthritis , asthma severity, and swine flu , however more reliable studies are needed before they can be can try these associations. Many of these benefits are produced through the positive effect of vitamin D on the immune system.
Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating calcium and maintaining phosphorous levels in the blood, two factors that are extremely important in maintaining healthy bones.
We need vitamin D to absorb calcium from the intestines and recover calcium that would otherwise be excreted through the kidneys.
Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets , a disease characterized by a severely bowed appearance due to softening of the bones.
In adults, vitamin D deficiency manifests as osteomalacia (softening of the bones) or osteoporosis . Osteomalacia produces low bone density and muscle weakness. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease among postmenopausal women and older men.