EC Microbiology

Introduction: Vitamin D is critical in the musculoskeletal system because it maintains calcium and phosphate balance and dynamics. Vitamin D deficiency has been well-known for decades, and it causes various musculoskeletal diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, etc. However, in the past two decades, vitamin D was found to strongly influence multiple other systems, such as the immune system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and cancer. Vitamin D plays a specific role in immune activation for combating various infections and pathologically undoing some autoimmune conditions. Vitamin D acts on immunocytes unidirectionally to modulate the immune system via stimulatory or suppressive actions and offers better immunological outcomes. Apart from calcium metabolism disorders, vitamin D deficiency may also lead to various acute and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is essential to understand the role of vitamin D in the extra-musculoskeletal field.

Aim of the Study: The aim of the present review is to understand the various extra-skeletal role of vitamin D.

Methodology: The review is the comprehensive research of PUBMED since the year 1989 to 2021.

Conclusion: Deficiency and insufficiency of Vitamin D is now a well-recognized global health problem. A multitude of studies suggests that deficiency of Vitamin D not only affects bone health but also has negative effects on the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory systems leading to acute and chronic illnesses in the long term, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, mental illness, neuropsychiatric disorders, neurocognitive dysfunction, infertility, an adverse outcome in pregnancy and childbirth. This suggests and justify the enhanced recommendation to children and adult in their diet and increasing the level of vitamin D via supplements and appropriate sun exposure.

Keywords: Vitamin D Deficiency; Osteoporosis; Vitamin D; 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Fractures; Cancer; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Autoimmune Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Infectious Diseases

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