Vitamin D Science

Vitamin D Research

Vitamin D is one of the oldest hormones, having been produced by life forms for over 750 million years. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, and most plants and animals that are exposed to sunlight have the capacity to make vitamin D. In humans, vitamin D is critically important for the development, growth, and maintenance of a healthy body, from birth until death.

We invite you to browse the various studies to be found in the sections below and see for yourself just how vital vitamin D cholecalciferol is to life. To view listing of research abstracts for an area of interest, click on corresponding heading below.

Research Areas

• AutismResearch has shown that low maternal vitamin D3 has important ramifications for the developing brain. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with many important functions in the brain, mediated through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). Disfunctional VDR demonstrate altered emotional behavior and specific motor deficits.
• Autoimmune IllnessResearchers are discovering an increasing number of links between the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Hormones of the endocrine system, such as vitamin D, help the immune and nervous systems defend the body, with defects in this intricate system leading to autoimmune disorders.
• Best ScienceBreakthrough science that has played a significant role in broadening humanity's understanding of vitamin D and its importance in the maintenance of health.
• CancerVitamin D inhibits inappropriate cell division and metastasis, reduces blood vessel formation around tumors, and regulates proteins that affect tumor growth. It also enhances anti‑cancer actions of immune system chemicals and chemotherapy drugs.
• Chronic PainVitamin D deficiency is a major contributor to chronic low back pain in areas where vitamin D deficiency is endemic.
• Cognitive FunctionRecent research indicates vitamin D deficiency is associated with low mood and cognitive impairment in the elderly.
• Commentaries and EditorialsCommentaries and editorials written by vitamin D scientists and experts as published in the medical journals.
• DiabetesVitamin D helps maintain adequate insulin levels. Preliminary evidence suggests supplementation can increase insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Prolonged supplementation may help reduce blood sugar levels.
• Heart DiseaseStudies have indicated reduced ultraviolet B exposure in CHF patients during childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Activated vitamin D has been shown to increase survival in patients with cardiovascular disease.
• HyperparathyroidismLow plasma vitamin D3 has been found to be a major risk factor for hyperparathyroidism.
• HypertensionClinical and experimental data support the view that vitamin D metabolism is involved in blood pressure regulation and other metabolic processes.
• MelanomaAn inability to tan is the number one risk factor for melanoma. Those who tan easily or who have darker skin are far less likely to develop the disease. A new theory is that melanoma is actually caused by sunlight (vitamin D) deficiency and that safe sun exposure actually helps prevent the deadly disease.
• Mental IllnessVitamin D deficiency has been implicated in various psychiatric and neurologic disorders.
• MiscellaneousVitamin D has been implicated in the pathology of various other health disorders including influenza, psoriasis, gout, otosclerosis, interstitial cystitis, decreased pulmonary function, thrombosis, chronic kidney disease, pancreatitis, rheumatology, hepatitis B infections, hemochromatosis, and gastrointestinal diseases.
• Multiple SclerosisVitamin D supplementation may help prevent the development of MS as well as provide for additional treatment.
• Muscular Weakness and FallsSpecific receptors for vitamin D have been identified in human muscle tissue. Cross‑sectional studies show that elderly persons with higher vitamin D serum levels have increased muscle strength and a lower number of falls.
• ObesitySerum vitamin D is significantly lower in obese individuals.
• OsteoarthritisLow intake and low serum levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with an increased risk for progression of osteoarthritis.
• OsteoporosisVitamin D deficiency is extremely prevalent in the elderly. Most often the first symptoms are caused by myopathy with muscle pain, fatigue, muscular weakness, and gait disturbances. More severe deficiency causes osteomalacia with deep bone pain, reduced mineralization of bone matrix, and low‑energy fractures.
• PharmacologyThough several vitamin D analogues have been shown to be somewhat effective in various studies, the effectiveness of plain vitamin D3 cholecalciferol continues to remain superior.
• PhysiologySince its discovery, the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been found to be present in over thirty tissues and organs of man, indicating a broad sphere of influence over health and vitality.
• Pregnancy and LactationStudies indicate human milk contains inadequate levels of vitamin D and that routine vitamin D supplementation is advisable for breast‑fed infants who are deprived of sunlight exposure.
• RequirementsFor adults, the 5 microg (200 IU) vitamin D recommended dietary allowance may prevent osteomalacia in the absence of sunlight, but more is needed to help prevent osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other benefits of vitamin D supplementation are implicated epidemiologically: prevention of some cancers, osteoarthritis progression, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension.
• ReviewsPeer‑reviewed papers on vitamin D.
• ToxicityOne of the least toxic substances to humans, overdose of vitamin D3 doesn't occur until more than 100 times (approximately one bottle of vitamin D3 tablets) the daily RDA has been taken daily for several months. Acute one‑time overdoses require over 50 mg (ten thousand times the RDA).
• TreatmentVitamin D has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of health disorders.
• UV ExposureSunlight has an enormous impact on health via the skin's neuroendocrine system. Exposure to UVB enables the body to build a strong skeletal structure, heart, and muscles as well as optimize the immune system and utilization of sugar. Compared with nontanners, tanners have been found to have robust levels of 25‑hydroxyvitamin D at winter's end and higher bone density.
• VeterinaryVeterinary Research wherein vitamin D is listed as a factor.
• Vitamin D DeficiencyVitamin D Deficiency is a world‑wide epidemic, with over one billion people at risk for its associated diseases.
• Worst ScienceThe Vitamin D Council reviews three studies which, due to their faulty science, have done a grave disservice to humanity by preventing adequate vitamin D nutrition.