Virtually all the body's cells have vitamin D receptors (VDRs) and utilize the active form of vitamin D (CALCITRIOL, 25-hydroxy vitamin D)to function properly. And as you will see --- CALCITRIOL has numerous NON-skeletal effects, doing so much more than aiding calcium absorption for bone strength (together with magnesium, and vitamins A and K2):
CALCITRIOL upregulates nearly 3000 genes. Considering that your body only has ~25,000 genes helps one to grasp vitamin D's enormous influence on health; CALCITRIOL affects DNA via VDRs, which bind to specific locations of the human genome.
Hossein-nezhad, A., Spira, A., & Holick, M. F. (2013). Influence of vitamin D status and vitamin D3 supplementation on genome wide expression of white blood cells: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. PloS one, 8(3), e58725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058725
The body cannot absorb minerals without the vitamin "duo" A and D. CALCITRIOL is well-recognized as an aid that enhances intestinal absorption of magnesium, iron, zinc and, of course, calcium;
Vitamin D does not directly promote healthy bone, but rather it controls blood calcium and phosphorus levels by promoting intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption. In so doing, adequate calcium and phosphorus levels maintain neuromuscular function and mineralize the skeleton, instead of being drawn from the bones and broken down by mature osteoclasts to maintain blood levels.
Note that high Vitamin D levels will actually demineralize bone if there is insufficient calcium present
CALCITRIOL helps fight cancer and stimulate immunity.
Vitamin D up-regulates an important gene for fighting infections and controlling chronic inflammation. This gene produces over 200 anti-microbial peptides, a class of proteins that quickly destroys the cell walls of bacteria, viruses , and fungi and can keep the lungs free from infection. The most significant of these proteins are defensins and cathelicidin, a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic, whose production is enhanced by CALCITRIOL produced by macrophages. Grant et al, 2020. These proteins are the reason vitamin Dis so effective against colds and flu (and helps to explain why flu most often occurs during winter, when serum CALCITRIOL levels are lower for those in non-sunny climes, those who do not take the sun even when it is available, and those who do not alternatively and sufficiently supplement vitamin D3 or use a full-spectrum tanning bed;
Researchers discovered that vitamin D stimulates your white blood cells to make a substance called cathelicidin. Studies report that it attacks a wide variety of pathogens including: fungi, viruses, bacteria, tuberculosis and even cancer. Here'show it works: T-cells are a type of white blood cell that circulate around our bodies, scanning for cellular abnormalities and infections. When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or 'antenna' known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D. This means that the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won't even begin to mobilize.
Vitamin D prevents the immune system from producing a dangerous amount of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) that attack body cells E.g. Sensitive respiratory membranes. Although an important part of your immune system, in severe cases of the flu, cytokine production spirals out of control, causing high fever and extreme fatigue. In most cases, this so-called "cytokine storm" is the actual cause of death. Article by Rahdia Gleis: Dr. Cannell and the curious case of the flu.
A sufficiency of the active form of vitamin D (CALCITRIOL) in the blood can reduce viral activity as occurs in such as influenza, HIV, smallpox, warts, ebola and the common cold. Different viruses attack various areas of the body, such as blood, liver, skin or the respiratory system.
A virus that attacks the respiratory system (i.e. nose, throat and lungs) causes a respiratory tract infection (RTI). E.g. a cold (adenovirus), influenza (Type A virus: Seasonal flu, Bird flu, swine flu; Type B virus: Seasonal flu), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS (coronavirus SARS-CoV ), COVID-19 (coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a mutated version of SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS (coronavirus MERS-CoV)
• Sufficient serum CALCITRIOL levels protect against chronic diseases. Compared to those who are healthy, people contracting a viral infection have a significantly higher risk of dying if they have a chronic disease, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (including hypertension), chronic respiratory tract infections (RTIs), or diabetes.
• Sufficient serum CALCITRIOL reduces risk of Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) by:
♦ Inactivating enveloped viruses. CALCITRIOL induces production of anti-microbial proteins such as defensins and cathelicidin.
♦ Maintain tight juctions
♦ Reduce production of innate immune system's pro-inflammatory cytokines. Reduces risk of overactive immune response precipitating pneumonia
Shown effective against tuberuculosis. Destroys Microbacterium tuberculosis; the airborne bacteria that infects the lungs, and is today the world's most deadly infectious disease;
Since vitamin D modulates/down-regulates immune response it can prevent over-reactive inflammation leading to autoimmune disorders E.g. Crohn's Disease, IBS, Rheumatoid arthritis, M.S., Sjogren's Syndrome, and thyroiditis;
Vitamin D increases the number of disease-fighting white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the body
The difference in an infection-free wardIn 2005, an influenza epidemic broke out in the psychiatric Atascadero State Hospital in California. One by one, each ward became infected as the patients came down with chills, fever, cough, and severe body aches. However, only Dr. Cannell's ward remained free of infection. These patients intermingled with patients from other wards and they were not noticeably different in terms of age, health, or medical treatment. The difference? Dr. Cannell's patients had been receiving a daily dose of 2,000 IU (btw - this dose is barely minimal for an adult) of vitamin D for several months, and not one of them caught the flu! Cannell JJ et al (2006, Dec) Epidemic influenza and vitamin D, Epidemiol Infect;134(6):1129-40, Article by Rahdia Gleis: Dr. Cannell and the Curious Case of the Flu |
CALCITRIOL supports cardiovascular health;
Vitamin D regulates D-binding proteins and some calcium-binding proteins, which are responsible for carrying calcium to its proper destination. With a deficiency of vitamin D, high dietary levels of calcium may contribute to calcification / damage by free calcium in the arteries, joints, kidney and possisbly even the brain.
CALCITRIOL may have a role in type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Pittas AG et al (2006)
Involved in regulating blood pressure. The enzyme renin converts angiotensinogen (produced in liver) to the hormone ANGIOTENSIN I. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (in the lungs) converts ANGIOTENSIN I to ANGIOTENSIN II, which causes blood vessel constriction / increased blood pressure. Li YC, 2003
Increases enzymes that protect against oxidation. Wiseman H, 1993
Radhia Gleis (2019) Dr. Cannell and the curious case of the flu. Advanced Health Institute
Cannell JJ et al (2006, Dec) Epidemic influenza and vitamin D, Epidemiol Infect;134(6):1129-40, PubMed pdf
Grant, W.B.; Lahore, H.; McDonnell, S.L.; Baggerly, C.A.; French, C.B.; Aliano, J.L.; Bhattoa, H.P. (2020) Vitamin D Supplementation Could Prevent and Treat Influenza, Coronavirus, and Pneumonia Infections. Preprints 2020, 2020030235.
Hossein-nezhad, A., Spira, A., & Holick, M. F. (2013). Influence of vitamin D status and vitamin D3 supplementation on genome wide expression of white blood cells: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. PloS one, 8(3), e58725. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058725 PubMed pdf
Li YC (2003) Vitamin D regulation of the reni-angiotensin system, J Cell Biochem 88:327-331
Pittas AG et al (2006) Vitamin D and calcum intake in relationship to type 2 diabetes in women, Diabetes Care 29:650-56
Wiseman H (1993) Vitamin D is a membrane antioxidant Ability to inhibit iron-dependent lipid peroxidation in liposomes compared to cholesterol, ergosterol and tamoxifen and relevance to anti-cancer action. FEBS Lett. 326: 285-8 Pdf
