Vitamin D as a pleiotropic hormone

Vitamin D as one of liposoluble vitamins has in clinical practice so far been related to children age and skeletal development. During the last years however, there has been a great deal of new information considering a rather more complicated involvement of vitamin D in a variety of processes and functions of the human body. So there is necessary to consider vitamin D not only as a vitamin but as a potent pleiotropic hormone. Vitamin D receptors were indentified in almost all tissues of human body. We can follow a growing body of information about the relationship between vitamin D and individual organ systems and their disorders currently. The long-term lack of vitamin D significantly potentiates cognitive deterioration in the elderly, influences the mood up to depression appearance. The positive relationship between vitamin D and the immune system functioning manifests in decreasing number of infective complications. Protective effect in carcinogenesis appears to be of high importance too. The positive influence of adequate vitamin D levels on cardiovascular health – especially hypertension, cardiac failure and ichaemic heart disease becomes evident as well. From the senior’s self-sufficiency point of view the relationship between vitamin D and sarcopenia is very important especially in connection with osteoporosis prevention - the way how to reduce the danger of falls and osteoporotic fractures. On the other hand, as we are currently able to measure the serum level of vitamin D, we have a chance to check and maintain the recommended level of vitamin D.