Khaberni - In early February 1928, the world witnessed a unique medical and nutritional achievement, represented in the first laboratory manufacturing process for a vital part of the human diet, which is vitamin "D".
The prominent German chemist Adolf Windaus succeeded in isolating and identifying the substance "ergosterol", which is considered a preliminary form or "provitamin D". Windaus discovered that this compound turns into the active form of the vitamin, known as "ergocalciferol", when exposed to ultraviolet rays. This dazzling scientific achievement, which revealed the chemical relationship between sunlight and vitamin formation in the body, earned Windaus the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
To understand the value of this discovery, it is essential to recall the historical suffering of humanity, especially in overcrowded industrial cities, from the spread of rickets among children, a disease of softening and deforming bones caused by a lack of mineralization. The prevalent knowledge by the early twentieth century was limited to treating the disease with cod liver oil or through exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet lamps, but the fundamental mechanism behind this treatment remained a puzzling mystery. Windaus' research clarified the details and chemically proved that light converts a compound found in the skin and dermis into that active nutritional element.
The chemical isolation of vitamin "D" in the 1920s marked a crucial turning point in public health. Starting from the early 1930s, enriching essential foods such as milk and grains with this manufactured vitamin virtually eradicated rickets as a health problem in many countries around the world. The revolution was not limited to human health but also included the field of agriculture and animal husbandry, where industrial provision of the vitamin allowed for the breeding of healthy and robust animals even in indoor settings, away from sunlight.
Looking at the vital functions of this vitamin, we find that its importance goes far beyond just bone health, although this function remains fundamental. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and acts as a hormone within the body, where its receptors are spread across various tissues and organs. Its central role is in regulating the metabolism of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, maintaining their optimal concentrations in the blood by stimulating their absorption in the small intestine and reabsorption in the kidneys. This precise regulation is essential not only for building and maintaining bone strength but also for the normal function of nerves, muscles, blood clotting, and vascular health.
Regarding immunity, vitamin "D" plays a pivotal role in enhancing the body's defenses, as it regulates the activity and differentiation of immune cells like macrophages and T lymphocytes, making the response to infection more effective. Studies also indicate its direct impact on the health of the nervous system and brain, supporting nerve signal transmission and potentially playing a role in mood regulation and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, through mechanisms that involve the effect on neurotransmitter production.
For the heart and blood vessels, the vitamin contributes to regulating blood pressure and maintaining normal heart function, and it also works to lower levels of the amino acid "homocysteine", which when increased in blood, is linked to a higher risk of heart and arterial diseases. Vitamin "D" enhances the absorption of several other important minerals such as magnesium and zinc, deepening its overall impact on the body's vital processes. There is increasing scientific evidence, although still in need of more research, of its potential role in reducing the risk of certain cancers, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer, by regulating the cell life cycle and preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation.
Despite these numerous benefits and the glorious history of synthetic vitamin "D" in eliminating many diseases, experts advise distinguishing between its use as a treatment for confirmed deficiency and random intake as a dietary supplement. The evidence on the benefits of supplements for people with normal vitamin levels is still inconclusive, emphasizing the medical wisdom of consulting a specialist, determining doses based on laboratory tests, and relying primarily on natural sources, represented by moderate exposure to sunlight and consuming foods rich in this vital vitamin.
