Health Effects Related to Low Vitamin D Concentrations: Beyond Bone Metabolism

Background: Vitamin D is essential for a vast number of physiologic processes, and thus adequate levels are necessary or advantageous for optimal health. During childhood and adolescence, an adequate vitamin D status is needed due to its important role in cell growth, skeletal structure, and development. Aims: To review the extraskeletal effects of vitamin D, focusing especially on children. Methods: Narrative review. Results: Low vitamin D concentrations seem to be significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Regular sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation in early childhood may offer protection against the development of type 1 diabetes. Epidemiological evidence supports the importance of adequate vitamin D levels for the prevention of a number of cancers, mainly breast and colorectal ones. There seems to be an inverse relation between 25(OH) D serum concentrations and cardiovascular diseases, some components of the metabolic syndrome, and physical fitness. Conclusions: Lifestyle and appropriate nutrition may prevent the long-term effect of hypovitaminosis D beyond mineral and bone metabolism. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel