Vitamin D3

Presentation by: Navya Tanniru
Reviewed by: Sydney Santos & Athira Eruthodi
Vitamin D3 is naturally produced by the skin upon exposure, and it can also be obtained through diet and supplements (Arnarson, 2018). This vitamin can cross the blood-brain barrier, which is significant in its impact in maintaining healthy brain function. A deficiency in vitamin D3, which is
common with aging and in certain regions in the world, has been linked to cognitive decline that is associated with the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Dementia (Shytle & Bickford, 2009). Vitamin D3 receptors are widely dispersed in the brain, and therefore this supplement has numerous functions in the brain; for example, it modulates neurotransmitter synthesis, regulates synaptic plasticity, and maintains calcium homeostasis (Anjum I. et al., 2018). Along with its neuroprotective properties, this vitamin has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects that could potentially be utilized in reducing the severity of and protecting against infections (Hribar et al., 2020). With more research and studies, this supplement may help treat cognitive impairments and protect against viral illnesses in the future.
Further studies:
● Understand the mechanisms as to how vitamin D deficiency affects synaptic plasticity and cognitive impairments
● Conduct clinical trials to see how vitamin D3 can improve cognitive impairments in patients with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Schizophrenia
● Research the relationship between vitamin D3 and the ACE2 receptor, & how this may affect COVID-19 pathogenesis
● Research how vitamin D3 may impact working and short-term memory
● Conduct more large-scale studies examining vitamin D3’s impact on respiratory tract illnesses, such as influenza
References:
Anjum, I., Jaffery, S. S., Fayyaz, M., Samoo, Z., & Anjum, S. (2018). The Role of Vitamin D in Brain Health: A Mini Literature Review. Cureus, 10(7). doi:10.7759/cureus.2960
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