Vitamin D at the intersection of health and disease: The immunomodulatory perspective
Vitamin D in health and diseaseAbstract
Vitamin D is pivotal to the maintenance of human health and preventing diseases 1. Being highly studied vitamin, vitamin D is required for the functioning of almost all the cells of the human body. Recognized for its ability to support musculoskeletal health, the function of vitamin D extends to neurological and cognitive junctions, gastrointestinal functions, blood pressure regulation, glucose metabolism, physiological cellular functions, besides its hormonal actions to maintain calcium and phosphorous homeostasis 2,3,4. Recently, scientific interest is riveted towards the immune regulatory functions of vitamin D. Nearly all the immune cells express vitamin D receptor (VDR), hence pointing to its ability to modulate innate and adaptive immune mechanisms 5,6. This editorial presents the current knowledge of the functional influence of vitamin D on health and disease, with emphasis on the immunoregulatory mechanisms. It also discusses the possible benefits of vitamin D as therapeutics for degenerative, autoimmune, allergic, and infectious disorders.