Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5534058 | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology | 2017 | 7 Pages |
â¢Vitamin D deficiency is very common worldwide.â¢Aging in humans results in less metabolic activity of vitamin D.â¢Aging leads to a decrease in vitamin D receptor number in several organs.â¢Vitamin D may influence cellular aging through effects on telomere biology.
Worldwide, vitamin D deficiency is a common finding. Within individuals 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH)D) concentrations remain fairly stable over time although large differences in individual longitudinal changes exist. During aging vitamin D metabolism and activity changes in several different ways. Intestinal resistance to 1,25(OH)2D develops which hampers intestinal calcium uptake. Vitamin D receptor number decreases with aging in several organs involved in calcium metabolism and 1alpha-hydroxylase activity decreases mainly due to a decrease in renal function reducing vitamin D activation. Effects of 1,25(OH)2D on cell proliferation and differentiation may influence potential anti-cancer effects whereas regulation of telomere length may result in longevity. In older individuals, vitamin D supplementation has positive effects on fracture risk, number of falls and physical function. Supplementation in older populations warrants specific attention. Effects on “non-classical” outcomes may be revealed by ongoing large randomized clinical trials with high doses of vitamin D.