Pandemic of vitamin D deficiency

Albanova V.I.

MONIKI (Moscow Regional Scientific Clinical Institute), Moscow, Russia

Vitamin D (VD) comes only in a small amount externally, since the main source is synthesis in the skin. Its activation also occurs in the body, it has its own nuclear receptors and is essentially a prohormone. In addition to the "classic" action on calcium-phosphorus metabolism, VD regulates the expression of genes that control functions such as proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, ion transport, DNA repair, protection against reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis through its receptors in many cell types. This is associated with participation in the immune response, angiogenesis, aging, detoxification, and suppression of inflammation. The majority of the world's population is deficient of VD. The treatment and maintenance of optimal blood levels affect not only the probability of occurrence and severity of certain malignant tumors, autoimmune, infectious, cardiovascular, allergic, nervous, bronchopulmonary and skin diseases, but also their outcome and life expectancy.