Effects of Vitamin D on Cardiovascular Risk and Oxidative Stress.

Introduction: Vitamin D has been primarily studied as an important factor influencing bone and calcium metabolism. Metabolites of vitamin D are essential for whole-body calcium homeostasis, maintaining serum calcium levels within a narrow range by regulating this process in the bones and gut. Nevertheless, its deficiency is also related to increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MS), and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-with increased visceral adipose tissue and body mass index (BMI), as well as the frequently associated hypercholesterolemia.