Publication:

Beyond the bones: the genomic and clinical landscape of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D, a secosteroid hormone traditionally linked with bone health, has emerged as a pleiotropic regulator exerting systemic effects across immune, neurological, endocrine, respiratory, and metabolic pathways. This review explores the expanding scientific consensus on vitamin D's roles beyond musculoskeletal physiology, emphasizing its contributions to innate immunity, antimicrobial defense, tumor suppression, neurocognitive regulation, reproductive health, and gene expression via epigenetic pathways. Current evidence suggests that vitamin D modulates inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, supports mucosal defense, and regulates transcription of multiple health-relevant genes. In diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), periodontal disorders, multiple sclerosis, and metabolic syndrome, vitamin D deficiency is consistently linked with disease progression and poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, its deficiency is associated with impaired quality of life, fatigue, reduced neuromuscular function, and increased infection susceptibility. Despite the variation in individual responsiveness and ongoing debates regarding universal supplementation, targeted screening and correction of deficiency in high-risk populations appear justified. This synthesis underscores the necessity for precision nutrition, personalized supplementation strategies, and integrative clinical guidelines to harness vitamin D’s full systemic potential.