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Vitamin D (calciferol), a vitamin of sunlight

Immune system Vitamin D

With the decline of sunny hours, vitamin D often referred to as a “sunlight vitamin,” which is essential for all people, is paramount in supporting the immune system.

The name vitamin D (cholecalciferol, also known as hormone D because its mechanism of action) includes several fat-soluble vitamins. Its most important task is to regulate calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization.

It does not count as a classic vitamin, as vitamins are physiologically essential substances that our body cannot produce. The body does not get it with food. It is formed from the vitamin or animal precursor, provitamin, our body produces vitamin D itself.

Ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation reaching our skin is primarily responsible for vitamin D levels in our body. The producing ceases in the already tanned skin.

Due to our climate, the Hungary population’s vitamin D level is usually very low by the end of winter. Fat stores can be completely emptied in 2-3 months without replacement. It meets the need for healthy adults if they spend enough time in the sunlight. People in large cities with polluted air get less vitamin D than their relatives in the countryside because smoke and fog absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The amount of ingested with food is minimal, so deficiency is usually unavoidable.

A recent new study, The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020): 105751, showed that vitamin D intake could reduce the risk of admission to the intensive care unit by up to 97% Covid-19 diseases. COVID patients are tanned in Barcelona.

”Johns Hopkins Researchers Identify Immune System Pathway That May Stop COVID-19 Infection. Based on their findings, the researchers believe that inhibiting the protein, known as factor D, also will curtail the potentially deadly inflammatory reactions that many patients have to the virus.”

Vitamin D types, sources, and effects of

Types

Vitamin D (calciferol) is a summary name. There are forms D1, D2, D3. Of these, vitamin D3 is the most utilized by the body.

Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is produced from the plant-derived vitamin A, ergosterol, is by ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. It is contained in larger quantities in yeast, some fungal species and rye. Vitamin D2 of animal origin is contained in only a few types of fish liver oil.

Most naturally occurring vitamins D are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), formed from the prodrug 7-dehydro-cholesterol of animal origin by exposure to sunlight or artificial irradiation. Vitamin D3 is also formed from this precursor due to solar radiation reaching the surface of human skin.

Its main sources

Compared to the amount needed for our body, the amount of vitamin D in our foods is negligible (except for fish liver oils), so we cannot cover our food alone.

It is found in freshwater and marine fatty fish (sardines, herring, tuna, salmon), fish liver (cod), liver and other offal, egg yolk, porcini mushrooms, and fortified foods (e.g., cereals, dairy products, butter).
But these large amounts should be consumed daily so that our body can get enough vitamins.

The condition for an adequate supply of vitamin D is to stay in the open air and sunlight for a minimum of 15-30 minutes a day. Sunlight in winter, late fall, and early spring are not yet sufficient for vitamin D formation, so synthetic vitamin D supplementation is advisable during this period.

Vitamin D supplementation should be individualized, taking into account age, health status, medications you may be taking, living environment, time spent outdoors, etc.

Both the pre-vitamins and the synthetically produced vitamin D are absorbed from the small intestine with fats.

A healthy person, taking a dietary supplement does not pose a health risk if you follow the nutritional guidelines. However, it is essential to take only a reliable and high-quality product.

Effects

Vitamin D is necessary for the immune system’s proper functioning, the body’s first defense line against infections and diseases. It has anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory properties and is essential for activating the immune system’s defenses.

It has long been proven to be necessary for bone formation, the development of the skeletal system and teeth in children, and to promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract.

In its absence, rickets can occur in children. In adults, osteoporosis, osteoporosis, and tooth decay can occur, as calcium is unable to be incorporated into the bones and teeth in the absence of vitamin D.

Helps treat conjunctivitis.

It increases the absorption of vitamin A.

It contributes to the maintenance of healthy muscle function, improves the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, is recommended for back and lumbar pain, various spinal diseases, osteoporosis, inflammation of the joints.

Research is currently underway to investigate whether it inhibits the formation of tumor cells.

Sunrise behind the Hungarian Liberty staue (Gellért hill, Budapest)

According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it may also play a role in reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis.

Taken with vitamins A and C, it can protect against colds, thus also helping to reduce the likelihood of developing the flu, according to a 2010 study.

For example, a Chinese study observed that 82 percent of people with autoimmune thyroid insufficiency also had vitamin D deficiency. According to an article in the Natural Medicine Journal and further research, positive results have been achieved in treating Hashimoto’sHashimoto’s thyroid disease.

Its role in calcium metabolism

When the amount of calcium in the blood decreases, the inactive precursor of vitamin D is converted to active vitamin D (calcitriol), with parathyroid hormone, which releases calcium from the bones, allowing the body to absorb more calcium from the intestinal tract and increase blood calcium levels.

When there is enough calcium in the body, less active vitamin D is produced.

What can cause your absence?

Deficiency is suspected if your vitamin D metabolism has been disrupted for any reason, in which case your doctor will ask you about the cause of your elevated levels of calcium in your blood.

If there is too little sunshine.
It occurs mainly in the elderly or when wearing specific clothing (such as chador).
Malnutrition.
From the intestines (e.g., celiac disease), decreased intake of vitamin D.
Increased demand (pregnancy, lactation, children).
You are taking certain medicines (antiepileptics).
It increased kidney function.
Nephrosis syndrome.
Renal impairment.
Parathyroid dysfunction.
Hyperthyroidism.
Rickets (in some types)
Cadmium poisoning.

When Can Excessive Vitamin D Levels Occur?

Heparin therapy.
Strong UV radiation.
Excessive intake of vitamin D.
Boeck’s disease. Tuberculosis.
Parathyroid hyperfunction.
Thyroid dysfunction.
II rickets type.
The period after kidney transplantation

According to experts, it would be enough to spend 15-30 minutes a day from March to September to avoid the deficiency. Still, most of the population does not have enough time for this, which causes health risks associated with vitamin D deficiency development.

The Hungarian recommendation (Second Vitamin D Consensus Conference) for daily intake of vitamin D (IU = International Unit, 1 IU = 0.025 μg of vitamin D3) is recommended for the intake of 1000 IU of vitamin D3 per day for healthy people.

If the possibility of vitamin D deficiency arises, this dose will be doubled to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily.

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D in winter:

Infants: 400-1000 IU
1-6 years: 600-1000 IU
Over six years: 600-1000 IU
Adolescents: 800-1000 IU
Adults: 1500-2000 IU
Overweight: 3000-4000 IU
Pregnant women: 1500-2000 IU

Vitamin D supplementation is essential not only for healthy people but also for preventing diseases of civilization.

Vitamin D

Diseases and conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency in adults may be indicated by bone weakness (e.g., softening of the bone, fractures, difficult-to-heal fractures, osteoporosis), muscle cramps, and rapidly deteriorating teeth.

In children, a lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets.

The results of research to date have shown that vitamin D deficiency also plays a role in the development of many diseases:

osteoporosis,
cancer,
nervous system disorders,
diabetes,
asthma,
and cardiovascular disease, however
it also hurts the functioning of the immune system.

It is a proven fact that normalizing vitamin D levels in chronic patients drastically reduces death risk:

in case of cardiovascular death 60,
among tumor deaths 59,
and a 49% risk reduction for all other ends.

To whom and when is the replacement recommended?

In the winter and spring months, vitamin D supplementation is recommended for healthy adults to prevent deficiency conditions.
People in big cities need more vitamin D (higher air pollution absorbs ultraviolet rays better) and spend little time in the sunlight, such as those working night shifts.
Besides, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and women taking birth control pills require supplementation with this fat-soluble vitamin.
In all cases, the pediatrician will prescribe vitamin D to infants for proper bone development.
Replacement is also crucial for the elderly, as the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D decreases with age.
If you are taking some medicines, vitamin D supplementation should be done in consultation with your doctor.

How can vitamin D be supplemented?

Vitamin D (hormone D) is a fat-soluble vitamin. The main advantage is that it is slowly eliminated from the body. It does not need to be supplemented daily, so even a weekly or monthly intake may be sufficient.
The primary consideration is the time spent in the sunlight from early spring to late fall. However, many are wary of the sun, especially in the noon hours, due to fears of harmful radiation and melanoma’s danger.
Appropriate medications prescribed by your doctor indicates vitamin D supplementation.
Medicinal calcium supplementation is also required during vitamin D treatment as deemed necessary by the treating physician.

What may increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency?

diabetes treatment with certain medicines (e.g., antiepileptics)
disorders (cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, gastric stricture surgery)
granulomatous diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis)
pancreatic insufficiency
parathyroid hyperfunction
the elderly (men> 65 years and women> 70 years) and those living in nursing homes
previous vitamin D deficient condition
chronic inflammatory diseases
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
chronic kidney disease
lymphomas
liver disease
incidence of non-traumatic bone fractures osteomalacia
osteoporosis (osteoporosis)
severe obesity (body mass index> 30 kg / m2)
vegan diet.

How to prove vitamin D deficiency?

Measuring the body’s vitamin D supply: 25-OH-D levels in the blood.

Since research has shown that vitamin D plays a significant role in our health, serum vitamin D frequency has also increased significantly.

Any physician may request calculation of calcidiol (25-OH-D) levels by simple blood sampling, however, it is preferable in the art for routine monitoring of vitamin D intake to be performed regularly in patients with vitamin D deficiency. May be classified as at risk of developing a deficit.

Normal 30 ng / ml or 75 nmol / l
Deficiency 20 ng / ml or 50 nmol / l Severe deficiency 10 ng / ml or 25 nmol / l
It is worth paying special attention to regular vitamin D supplementation in the autumn-winter period due to the climatic specificity. We can prevent the development of many serious diseases.