Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule referring to the different isoforms, ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Its physiological functions include increasing calcium serum concentrations. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) (Calcifediol), a non-active, circulating instant precursor is seen as a p...

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Main Authors: Pheagane G. Bopape, Chrisna Wagenaar, Madan Poka, Elmien Bronkhorst
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2023-10-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5752
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author Pheagane G. Bopape
Chrisna Wagenaar
Madan Poka
Elmien Bronkhorst
author_facet Pheagane G. Bopape
Chrisna Wagenaar
Madan Poka
Elmien Bronkhorst
author_sort Pheagane G. Bopape
collection DOAJ
description Vitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule referring to the different isoforms, ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Its physiological functions include increasing calcium serum concentrations. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) (Calcifediol), a non-active, circulating instant precursor is seen as a pre-hormone. Studies have shown that a deficiency in calcifediol is related to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune system, neurological, and anti-neoplastic functions. Vitamin D supplementation has shown its benefit as prophylaxis and treatment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and an increase in the prescribing of vitamin D supplementation has been observed. The intention of this review article is to provide guidance on the recommended dosage regimen as a prophylactic measure during COVID-19 and its use as a supplement in general. From this review article, it is clear that vitamin D has an important role to play not only in COVID-19 but also in various other health aspects of the human body. Contribution: This review article highlighted the role of vitamin D in managing vitamin D deficiency and its role as a supplement in the management of respiratory tract infections, especially COVID-19. This overview can assist physicians in optimising healthcare by optimised dosing recommendations and indications.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2078-6190
2078-6204
language English
publishDate 2023-10-01
publisher AOSIS
record_format Article
series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-d38c35d5f03d45b8bfe5f866fc026e512025-08-20T03:43:57ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042023-10-01651e1e610.4102/safp.v65i1.57524357Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative reviewPheagane G. Bopape0Chrisna Wagenaar1Madan Poka2Elmien Bronkhorst3Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaVitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule referring to the different isoforms, ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Its physiological functions include increasing calcium serum concentrations. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) (Calcifediol), a non-active, circulating instant precursor is seen as a pre-hormone. Studies have shown that a deficiency in calcifediol is related to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, immune system, neurological, and anti-neoplastic functions. Vitamin D supplementation has shown its benefit as prophylaxis and treatment during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and an increase in the prescribing of vitamin D supplementation has been observed. The intention of this review article is to provide guidance on the recommended dosage regimen as a prophylactic measure during COVID-19 and its use as a supplement in general. From this review article, it is clear that vitamin D has an important role to play not only in COVID-19 but also in various other health aspects of the human body. Contribution: This review article highlighted the role of vitamin D in managing vitamin D deficiency and its role as a supplement in the management of respiratory tract infections, especially COVID-19. This overview can assist physicians in optimising healthcare by optimised dosing recommendations and indications.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5752vitamin dcovid-19chronic diseasesdeficiencycalcifediolcholecalciferol
spellingShingle Pheagane G. Bopape
Chrisna Wagenaar
Madan Poka
Elmien Bronkhorst
Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
South African Family Practice
vitamin d
covid-19
chronic diseases
deficiency
calcifediol
cholecalciferol
title Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
title_full Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
title_fullStr Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
title_short Vitamin D supplementation in a post-pandemic era: A narrative review
title_sort vitamin d supplementation in a post pandemic era a narrative review
topic vitamin d
covid-19
chronic diseases
deficiency
calcifediol
cholecalciferol
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5752
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AT chrisnawagenaar vitamindsupplementationinapostpandemiceraanarrativereview
AT madanpoka vitamindsupplementationinapostpandemiceraanarrativereview
AT elmienbronkhorst vitamindsupplementationinapostpandemiceraanarrativereview