Vitamin D acting as hormones
We often think about calcium and bone health when we think about vitamin D, but its function goes beyond calcium absorption and bone health. Numerous scientific studies have discussed the role of vitamin D in various cells and organs of the body and its extensive effects on different diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer, dementia, autism, Parkinson and MS.
MSTF Media reports: This article reviews the role of vitamin D in various body mechanisms, with a particular focus on brain and cognition, and encourages you to get your blood test and check your vitamin level; because a deficiency of this vitamin at different ages has significant impacts on human health.
Beyond Bones and Calcium
Vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the intestine, thereby having a serious effect on the growth, remodeling, and maintenance of our bone strength. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin and brittle. Adequate amounts of vitamin D are essential in children to prevent rickets and in adults to protect against osteoporosis. Given the crucial role of calcium in muscle contraction, a deficiency in vitamin D, and consequently decreased calcium absorption, disrupts nerve and muscle regulation, leading to involuntary muscle contractions, cramps, and spasms. But the story doesn’t end here.
Vitamin D is sometimes referred to as a hormone, meaning that this molecule can act as a messenger in the body and by attaching to its receptors in various body cells, it can initiate other processes. For example, vitamin D has a role in reducing inflammation and balancing processes such as cell growth, glucose metabolism, and immune system function.
Vitamin D: A Key Player in Brain and Cognition
Various studies have discussed the role of vitamin D in human cognitive functions. Cognition refers to brain processes related to knowledge, learning, understanding, and the ability to develop these functions. These studies have shown that vitamin D affects brain processing speed, verbal learning and memory, attention, and general cognitive functions.
Vitamin D deficiency accelerates age-related cognitive decline. This vitamin can help improve memory by increasing the concentration of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which has a role in memory, learning, and attention. Vitamin D can also protect our nervous and cognitive systems by clearing a type of brain amyloid associated with Alzheimer. Additionally, high levels of this vitamin, both during pregnancy and in early life, can reduce the likelihood of autism, a developmental brain disorder.
Various studies have reported the connection between vitamin D and depression. A 2017 study showed that depression is due to an imbalance between the brain's excitatory and inhibitory pathways. It should be noted that calcium is a key element in the functioning of neural pathways. In addition to the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption, this vitamin, by preventing an increase in calcium levels in nerve cells, can disrupt neural pathways and may cause depression.
In Parkinson, nerve cells controlling body movements are destroyed. With the destruction of these cells, which are responsible for producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine, dopamine levels in the brain decrease. Through its effect on the brain's dopaminergic pathways, it may also be effective in treating Parkinson.
Vitamin D: A Key Player in MS
A nerve cell is like a road for transmitting neural messages. To speed up this transmission, most parts of the nerve cell are covered with an insulating sheath called myelin. In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the myelin around nerve cells, significantly slowing down neural transmission and causing various disorders in the body. Cognitive impairments are one of the common symptoms in MS patients. Research have shown that vitamin D deficiency can affect brain cognitive functions and influence the progression of MS. Moreover, vitamin D can promote the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, leading to an increase in the production of cells known as oligodendrocytes, which are the primary source of myelin. So far, there is no definitive cure for MS. However, understanding the influential factors, can reduce the risk of its development or slow its progression.
Dr. Samia Khoury, Lebanese researcher and professor at Beirut University, has been focusing specifically on the factors influencing MS and its regulatory mechanisms for years. In 2017, she and her team conducted a study showing that a three-month course of vitamin D supplementation in MS patients with vitamin D deficiency improved their cognitive functions, thereby significantly enhancing their quality of life.
In 2023, Dr. Khoury was awarded the fifth Mustafa (pbuh) Prize for her effective research in identifying factors influencing MS and its regulatory and tolerance mechanisms. This prize is held biennially to recognize and celebrate the most outstanding scientific achievements of scholars in the Islamic world.
Awareness of the extensive role and effects of vitamin D should not lead to its unsupervised consumption. Remember, vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and should be taken only in case of deficiency and under medical supervision, as excessive amounts can cause serious complications in the body.
