Dear Colleagues,

Foods have more vitamins than the amount required by the human body. Despite this, nutritional status does not always make these vitamins available for our needs, which depend greatly on one’s age, potential pregnancy status, health, and nutritional status. In humans, vitamins must be ingested through diet or supplements—and since, unfortunately, there are no foods that contain all the vitamins the human body needs, it is necessary to combine different food groups to be well nourished. In the context of functional homeostasis, vitamins play a relevant role in mineral metabolism, in the regulation of enzymatic activities, and in preventing different pathological conditions. 

Vitamins play important roles in health by counteracting dangerous free radicals produced in different cell types by exposure to various stressors. Several studies have demonstrated that antioxidant vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene) are particularly influenced by disease conditions. However, dietary and tissue balance of all these nutrients are important in protecting tissues against free-radical damage. Experimental evidence supports the use of recommended levels of vitamins for the prevention of cancer. Although their biological effects have been clarified, further studies are needed to demonstrate the anticancer effects of vitamins. In addition, other than the physiological role in mineral metabolism and bone tissue, a considerable series of studies have offered evidence on the involvement of vitamin D3 in different responses occurring in the cells of the immune system. Similarly, vitamin D3 assists brain health, and so do vitamins B9 and B12, which are involved in homocysteine metabolism. 

Considering the different roles and benefits of vitamins, vitamin deficiency can result in a variety of health problems depending on the missing vitamin and its physiological role. Thus, several factors must be evaluated in order to choose the right vitamin supplement. In particular, the fact that vitamins have different nutritional supplements and various properties and different bioavailability must be considered for a valid choice.

Prof. Riccardo Ientile
Guest Editor

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• vitamins
• vitamin deficiency
• vitamin supplementation
• cancer
• antioxidants
• nervous system
• aging
• inflammation
• immune response