Vitamin D plays a vital role in reducing fatigue and may have a positive impact on overall health, according to a new study.
- Fatigue is a symptom linked to a wide variety of physiological conditions, and in many of them it represents underlying health problems.
- Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating fatigue by controlling inflammation and neurotransmitters.
- Vitamin D has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, which may have a beneficial impact on fatigue.
Researchers reviewed existing data on the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D on fatigue, the results of their work are published in Nutrients,
They found that vitamin D intervenes in human physiological processes, potentially influencing the pathophysiology of many fatigue-related conditions, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, rheumatological, diabetic, fertility and even cancer disorders.
Vitamin D: how does it regulate fatigue?
Several studies have highlighted that vitamin D regulates fatigue by controlling inflammation and neurotransmitters. It also influences biochemical reactions such as oxidative stress factors and inflammatory cytokines which are involved in the pathophysiology of fatigue. By regulating these processes, vitamin D could help alleviate fatigue.
The mechanisms of vitamin D in reducing oxidative stress
The said vitamin participates in several processes, including redox reactions, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the functioning of mitochondria. These mechanisms play a key role in reducing oxidative stress, a major cause of fatigue. Vitamin D supplementation could improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial functions by reducing oxidative stress. In addition, vitamin D regulates the development of Klotho, a protein with anti-aging effects, which increases tolerance to oxidative stress and prevents the overproduction of ROS.
The immunological and inflammatory effects of vitamin D
It also regulates immunological functions and inflammatory processes. Studies have shown a cause-and-effect relationship between inflammation and vitamin D, promoting the anti-inflammatory actions of cytokines. This mechanism may be particularly important in the treatment of autoimmune diseases associated with fatigue.
It is recommended to monitor vitamin D levels in patients with symptoms of fatigue, particularly in the elderly and patients with multiple sclerosis, where stronger links between vitamin D and fatigue have been established. However, more research is needed to better understand its effect on fatigue in specific conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatological disorders, myasthenia gravis and cancer.
Before taking any vitamin D supplement, it is advisable to talk to your doctor, in particular to avoid any risk of overdose which can prove toxic to the body.
