Vitamin D and Hormones
February 14, 2022
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin present in the epidermal layer of the skin. Vitamin D present in the skin is in its inactive form and in the presence of sunlight gets activated to active vitamin D3 also called 1,25- dihydroxycholecalciferol or calcitriol.
Active D3 is similar to a hormone in structure and function. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus homeostasis with the help of its interaction with the intestine, kidney, and bone.
However, today more than half of the world’s population suffers from vitamin D deficiency and this has been seriously linked to a lot of health issues. Many non-communicable diseases have been linked to vitamin D deficiency, a similarity observed among various groups of the population. Initially considered insignificant, it has now become a question of concern as to if this common conclusion is due to the important role that vitamin D plays in influencing the body’s hormonal system and function. Let us find out!
Relationship between vitamin D and different hormones:
Vitamin D and Thyroid Hormones
Research studies found that deficiency of vitamin D was strongly associated with predisposing individuals to autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Graves disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. People who suffer from hypothyroidism when given vitamin D supplementation showed improvements in blood thyroid-stimulating hormone
levels. However, more research needs to be conducted to strengthen the existing findings.
Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone
Both vitamin D and PTH are strongly associated. It can be said that they both share a controlled feedback relationship with the body. Vitamin D and PTH play a significant role in maintaining calcium homeostasis in the body. 3 primary functions of the PTH include the release of calcium by the bones into the bloodstream. Intestinal absorption of calcium and Reabsorption of calcium by the kidneys. Vitamin D is important for regulating the PTH function. It stimulates calcium absorption and regulates PTH secretion depending upon calcium availability.
It is observed that vitamin D deficiency is more common in people who have primary hyperparathyroidism which comes with a higher rate of bone loss and osteoporosis.
Vitamin D and Growth Hormone
Growth hormone is essentially important during the growth periods of our lives. Vitamin D is involved in the development of bone growth and mineralization through the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It has been a cause of concern that low levels of vitamin D are strongly associated with stunting and poorly developed bone structure. A severe deficiency may lead to soft and fragile bones in children and a condition termed osteomalacia in adults.
Vitamin D and Cortisol
Cortisol is a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands situated at the top of our kidneys. They help the body deal with various stressors, control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism and decrease inflammation
However, a long-term increase in cortisol is harmful to the body. It may put you at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis. Vitamin D helps regulate the cortisol levels your adrenals are producing. It keeps a check on your stress response. Therefore, vitamin D is important in neutralizing the effects of sustained cortisol secretion and its negative effects.
Vitamin D and Insulin
Insulin, secreted by the pancreas is a hormone that plays an important role in the development of diabetes. It helps in regulating blood sugar levels. A person diagnosed with diabetes suffers from impaired insulin secretion or in most cases insulin resistance. It was identified that people diagnosed with diabetes had poor vitamin D levels. There is a clear association between low vitamin D levels in patients with insulin resistance and a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The deficiency of vitamin D is one of the causes accelerating the development of insulin resistance. Vitamin D supplementation was found to be beneficial in reducing fasting blood sugar levels and also improving insulin sensitivity.
Vitamin D and Leptin
Leptin is a hormone secreted by the adipose tissue that is a long-term mediator of energy balance, appetite, and weight management in the body. It has a major influence on obesity and the subsequent development of the metabolic syndrome.
Ensuring adequate amounts of vitamin D in your diet will keep your hormone levels in check and help in achieving weight loss and decreasing body fat.
Vitamin D and Serotonin:
Serotonin is a key hormone that helps with sleeping, eating, and digestion. Vitamin D can increase levels of this hormone which plays a major role in controlling your appetite, increasing satiety, reducing caloric intake, and aiding in weight loss.
Vitamin D and oestrogen:
Vitamin D is essential in Estrogen biosynthesis which can be partially explained by its ability to maintain calcium homeostasis. Estrogen and vitamin D both together play a critical role in maintaining metabolic health after menopause. They also work together to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. There is a positive correlation between vitamin D and estradiol. Deficiency of vitamin D may lead to lowered Estrogen levels which can cause depression, hot flashes, mood swings, and more.
It is now clearly evident to us that vitamin D is a hormone that communicates with the other hormones of the body making it important enough to maintain hormonal balance and efficiency. Therefore, it is important to ensure one is getting enough vitamin D to prevent hormonal fluctuations.
