Abstract
The major role of vitamin D in humans is to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphatase for the mineralization of the skeleton. The synthesis of vitamin D3 in the skin under influence of UV light decreases with aging due to insufficient sunlight exposure, and a decreased functional capacity of the skin. Deficiency in vitamin D causes secondary hyperparathyroidism, high bone turnover, bone loss, mineralization defects, proximal myopathy, falls and hip and other fractures. The goal of therapy of hypovitaminosis D is to restore normal serum and deposits of 25 (OH) D. The daily supplementation of vitamin D indicated is about 800–1,000 IU/day but may increase up to a maximum dose of 2,000 IU/day in conditions of severe vitamin D deficiency with a concomitant reduced or no sun exposure, reduced dietary intake and reduced calcium absorption.
References
DeLuca HF (1983) The cardinal role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in mineral homeostasis. In: Frame B, Potts JT Jr (eds) Clinical disorders of bone and mineral metabolism. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, pp 78–9
Holick MF (2008) Vitamin D: a D-lightful health perspective. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S182–S194
Gerdhem P, Ringsberg KA, Obrant KJ et al (2005) Association between 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, physical activity, muscle strength and fractures in the prospective population-based OPRA Study of Elderly Women. Osteoporos Int 16:1425–1431
Holick MF (2007) Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 357:266–281
Tom D, Thacher MD, Bart L, Clarke MD (2011) Vitamin D insufficiency. Mayo Clin Proc 86(1):50–60
Lips P, van Ginkel FC, Jongen MJM et al (1987) Determinants of vitamin D status in patients with hip fracture and elderly control subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 46:1005–1010
Resmini G, Migliaccio S, Dalle Carbonare L et al (2011) Characterization of bone quality and clinical features in patients with hip fractures and hip osteoarthritis. Aging Clin Exp Res 23(1):118–125
LeBoff MS, Hawkes WG, Glowacki J et al (2008) Vitamin D-deficiency and post- fracture changes in lower extremity function and falls in women with hip fractures. Osteoporos Int 19:1283–1290
Dam T-TL, von Muhlen D, Barrett-Connor EL (2009) Sex-specific association of serum vitamin D levels with physical function in older adults. Osteoporos Int 20:751–760
Chel V, Wijnhoven HA, Smit JH et al (2008) Efficacy of different doses and time intervals of oral vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium in elderly nursing home residents. Osteoporos Int 19:663–671
Adami S, Romagnoli E, Carnevale V, Scillitani A, Giusti A, Rossini M, Gatti D, Nuti R, Minisola S (2011) Guidelines on prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Reumatismo 63(3):129–147
Heaney RP, Holick MF (2011) Why the IOM recommendations for vitamin D are deficient. J Bone Miner Res 26(3):455–457
Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC et al (2005) Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation. JAMA 293:2257–2264
Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB et al (2009) Prevention of nonvertebral fractures with oral vitamin D and dose dependency. Arch Intern Med 169:551–561
Sanders KM, Stuart AL, Williamson EJ et al (2010) Annual high-dose oral vitamin D and falls and fractures in older women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 303:1815–1822
Conflict of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Resmini, G., Tarantino, U. & Iolascon, G. Vitamin D: role and opportunity to prescribe. Aging Clin Exp Res 25 (Suppl 1), 125–127 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0108-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0108-8