Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Le Bonheur Children's
Medical Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap, Memphis, TN 38103,
USA. Tel.: +1 901 287 6106; Fax: +1 901 287 5028; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: It has become apparent that large segments of the population have
vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. This is of concern because vitamin D has
biologic actions that influence immunity, inflammation, and oncogenesis in more
than 30 tissues types with vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D deficiency has been
associated with numerous disorders, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, and several types of cancer. Sufficient circulating levels
of vitamin D are critical not only for healthy bones, but for many aspects of
human health. The maintenance of adequate body stores of vitamin D depends on
exposure to sunlight and dietary intake. Cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D and
safe levels of dietary supplementation are discussed.
Keywords: Vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, cathelicidin, immunomodulation, vitamin D supplementation