Possible action mechanisms of vitamin D supplementation in combating obesity and obesity-related issues of bone health: a mini review

Abstract

Vitamin D is necessary for maintaining the bone function, and its deficiency is linked with the development of obesity. Moreover, bone health is correlated with obesity through many mechanisms by modulating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate as adipose cells, inflammatory response, glucose metabolism, oxidative homeostasis, energy metabolism and gut microbiota. Based on previous studies, vitamin D, obesity, and bone health are linked with each other at multiple levels. However, our knowledge of the associations of vitamin D with coexisting abnormalities, such as bone health-related issues and obesity, is still in its infancy. The complex relationships still need to be investigated and elucidated further. Therefore, in this review, the relationships between vitamin D, obesity and bone health have been discussed. This review identified that evidence proving the capacity to reduce or prevent obesity-related disorders by targeting vitamin D intakes is mainly unknown. However, the inverse relationships of vitamin D levels with obesity and bone health-related issues are apparent.