Calcium and vitamin D: skeletal and extraskeletal health

Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2008 Apr;10(2):110-7. doi: 10.1007/s11926-008-0020-y.

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 (25D). According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 61% of white and 91% of black Americans suffer from vitamin D insufficiency (25D < 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / prevention & control
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / therapeutic use
  • Ergocalciferols / metabolism*
  • Ergocalciferols / therapeutic use
  • Fractures, Bone / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Osteogenesis* / drug effects
  • Osteogenesis* / physiology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Ergocalciferols
  • Calcium