Abstract

DE OLIVEIRA, Vanessa et al. Influence of vitamin D in human health. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.3, pp.339-347. ISSN 0325-2957.

Vitamin D is a liposoluble substance, which has two forms: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), found in some plants and fish, or synthesized in the skin through sunlight, respectively. Deficiency of this vitamin may help to the onset and worsening of many diseases. Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in the elderly, but can be present at any age, and is associated with cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer and metabolic diseases. The skin vitamin D production is modulated by the season, latitude, time of day, skin pigmentation, age and use of sunscreen. Its active form 1,25(OH)2D exerts several functions in the body such as bone health, homeostasis, cell metabolism, immune system regulation, cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Currently, its lack is seen as a public health problem worldwide.

Keywords : Vitamin D; Hipovitaminosis D; 1,25 dihidroxyvitamin D.

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