Recent advances in vitamin D

The significant role of vitamin D has always been valued, and its additional pleiotropic effects have been explored in this century. Vitamin D and its metabolites function to maintain calcium balance and regulate the kidneys, heart and immune system. Vitamin D's anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic effect is important in intracellular balance, including hormone secretion, cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, this paper will elaborate on vitamin D's synthesis and metabolism, relation to immune system and cancer, as well as effects on different organ systems.