If you were told that there was a "drug" that could build strong bones, strengthen your immune system, and reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's, all for free, would you believe it? And yet, many scientists believe that this medicine already exists and it is vitamin D, or the "sunshine vitamin".
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is formed in the body mainly through the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by the skin, but also from certain foods rich in vitamin D.
The two forms (metabolites) of vitamin D are ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) which is included in foods and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) which is produced in the skin through exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
But in reality it is not a vitamin but a pro-steroid hormone, which has a direct effect on our genes. The end product of its metabolism, Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), is a secosteroid hormone that interacts with more than 2,500 genes in the human body.
A study carried out in collaboration with two of the world's greatest universities, Harvard and UCLA in California, concluded that the presence of vitamin D is necessary for cells to access the DNA "library".
In this particular study it was shown for the first time in 2006, that while the body's white blood cells have the information recorded in their DNA to deal with the tuberculosis bacillus, they cannot use it without the presence of vitamin D.
In our DNA there is all the information our cells need to survive, depending on the conditions they face each time.
Its function is carried out by receptors that regulate over 2,500 genes, which code for many proteins and play an important role in the regulation, differentiation and proliferation of cells. In addition to receptors found in the gut and bones, vitamin D receptors have also been identified in the brain, prostate, breast, colon, immune system cells, and vascular and cardiac muscles.
So it seems that vitamin D is the key to activating our genes.
The best-known, until recently, action of vitamin D is to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine to form and maintain healthy bones as well as to enhance neuromuscular function. But even if there is a diet rich in calcium, without sufficient vitamin D the calcium cannot be absorbed.
Recent studies, as well as several others in progress, are constantly showing new evidence that vitamin D appears to play an important role in overall health by helping to reduce inflammation, regulate and strengthen the immune system, develop cells and blood sugar control.
Since April 2008, distinguished American University professors, with their open letter, called the scientific community to action to spread the effect of vitamin D, not only for osteoporosis, but also for a number of other serious diseases, such as various types of cancer , diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other diseases.
This action was supported by reputable newspapers such as the Washington Post, as well as various articles.
Vitamin D deficiency is currently reaching epidemic proportions. Although most foods are fortified with vitamin D, experts say it's rare to get the required amounts through food.
It is therefore evident that maintaining normal levels of vitamin D in the body plays a key role in preventing certain types of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, infectious diseases and other health problems.
It is currently estimated that 1 billion people are vitamin D deficient with obvious effects on both their health and quality of life.
Article by Nikolaos Cafetzopoulos nutritionist-dietitian at Nutribase
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