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Calcium and vitamin D: Skeletal and extraskeletal health

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Abstract

Vitamin D is known for its role in calcium homeostasis for optimal skeletal health. It was previously believed that only elderly or hospitalized patients were at risk for vitamin D insufficiency, but many people in the general US population have insufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D). According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 61% of white and 91% of black Americans suffer from vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D < 32 ng/mL). Recent studies have demonstrated that a minimum 25(OH)D level of 32 ng/mL is necessary for optimal protection from fracture and intestinal absorption of calcium. Recently, vitamin D has been recognized as important for extraskeletal functions such as immune function, cancer prevention, and hypertension prevention. We review the role of vitamin D in skeletal health and present data on vitamin D in other extraskeletal diseases, with special emphasis on the rheumatology patient.

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  1. Woodruff Memorial Research Building, Room 1301, 101 Woodruff Circle Northeast, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Vin Tangpricha

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  1. Natasha Khazai
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  2. Suzanne E. Judd
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  3. Vin Tangpricha
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Correspondence to Vin Tangpricha.

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Khazai, N., Judd, S.E. & Tangpricha, V. Calcium and vitamin D: Skeletal and extraskeletal health. Curr Rheumatol Rep 10, 110–117 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-008-0020-y

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