October 2, 2014
Corresponding author: Olivier Bruyère olivier.bruyere@ulg.ac.be
Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, CHU Sart-Tilman, Bât B23, Liège 4000, Belgium
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Archives of Public Health 2014, 72:32 doi:10.1186/2049-3258-72-32
Abstract
Besides its well-known effect on bone metabolism, recent researches suggest that vitamin D may also play a role in the muscular, immune, endocrine, and central nervous systems. Double-blind RCTs support vitamin D supplementation at a dose of 800 IU per day for the prevention of falls and fractures in the senior population. Ecological, case–control and cohort studies have suggested that high vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced risk of autoimmune diseases, type 2 diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and cancer but large clinical trials are lacking today to provide solid evidence of a vitamin D benefit beyond bone health. At last, the optimal dose, route of administration, dosing interval and duration of vitamin D supplementation at a specific target dose beyond the prevention of vitamin D deficiency need to be further investigated.
- Effects of vitamin D on falls
- Effects of vitamin D on bone
- Effects of vitamin D on muscle
- Other potential effects of vitamin D in the elderly population
⓿ The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.archpublichealth.com/content/72/1/32
image source: http://pilatesnutritionist.com/happy-vitamin-d-day
