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Nutrients
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Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases
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Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Micronutrients and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 May 2026) | Viewed by 12568

Editors

Dr. Chan Yoon Park

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food & Nutrition, College of Life Care Science Technology, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong-si 18323, Republic of Korea
Interests: vitamin D; adipose tissue; inflammation; macrophage; Alzheimer’s disease; sarcopenia; aging
Dr. Eugene Chang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food and Nutrition, Kangwon National University at Gangneung, Gangneung-si 25457, Republic of Korea
Interests: obesity; metabolic disease; vitamin D; adipocyte; inflammation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vitamin D plays a crucial role not only in bone health, but also in immune function, inflammation regulation, cardiovascular health, muscle maintenance, and neuroprotection, making it a key factor in aging-related chronic diseases. Many clinical studies have reported associations between vitamin D status and the incidence of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. However, further research is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations and to examine the changes in vitamin D levels across different populations.

Additionally, a definition of vitamin D deficiency and sufficiency has not yet been established. While its role in bone health is clear, its broader implications for aging-related diseases call for a reassessment of optimal vitamin D levels. Determining whether vitamin D supplementation can effectively prevent these conditions therefore remains a topic of concern.

This Special Issue aims to achieve the following:

(a) Investigate the role of vitamin D in health and aging, from molecular mechanisms to clinical outcomes;
(b) Assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and insulin resistance;
(c) Analyze the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, dietary intake, supplementation, and key physiological pathways in older adults;
(d) Review current research on vitamin D metabolism and its relevance to aging-related chronic diseases;
(e) Explore effective strategies to prevent deficiencies and optimize vitamin D status across different life stages.

Dr. Chan Yoon Park
Dr. Eugene Chang
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vitamin D status
  • vitamin D supplementation
  • aging
  • vitamin D and metabolic chronic disorders
  • vitamin D and neurodegenerative diseases
  • vitamin D and inflammation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5573 KB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Vitamin D Levels on Markers Related to Amyloidogenesis and Neuroinflammation in db/db Mice
by Jisu Kim, Dain Wi, Sung Nim Han and Chan Yoon Park
Nutrients 2025, 17(21), 3339; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17213339 - 24 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1291
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Low vitamin D levels are associated with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Given the rising prevalence of diabetes and its association with AD, this study investigated whether vitamin D modulates amyloidogenesis and inflammation in the brains of diabetic mice. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Low vitamin D levels are associated with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Given the rising prevalence of diabetes and its association with AD, this study investigated whether vitamin D modulates amyloidogenesis and inflammation in the brains of diabetic mice. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BLKS/J-m+/m+(con) and C57BLKS/J-db/db (db) mice received diets with low or high vitamin D (LVD or HVD) for 8 weeks. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was assessed using H&E and Nissl staining, and Aβ levels, along with the mRNA expression of genes related to amyloidogenesis, amyloid degradation, inflammation, antioxidation, and neurotrophic factors, were measured in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Results: High dietary vitamin D levels attenuated neuronal necrosis in db/db mice. Hippocampal App and Bace1 expression levels were higher in db/db mice; however, amyloidogenic gene (App, Bace1, Ps1) expression levels in both the hippocampus and PFC were significantly lower in db_HVD group compared with those in db_LVD group (all p < 0.05). Among control mice, PFC App and Ps1 expression levels were lower in con_HVD group than in con_LVD group. Nonetheless, Aβ42 protein levels were not affected by either diabetes or dietary vitamin D levels. Furthermore, lower hippocampal Iκbα and PFC Mcp-1 expression levels in db_HVD group than those in db_LVD group were observed, both upregulated in diabetic mice. Amyloid degradation-related gene or Vdr expression was not altered by dietary vitamin D levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that vitamin D may exert neuroprotective effects on the hippocampus and PFC in diabetic mice by mitigating neuronal damage and suppressing amyloidogenic and inflammatory gene expression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases)
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14 pages, 714 KB  
Article
Associations Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Sarcopenia in South Korean Adults: Based on the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
by Sunhye Shin and Mi Joung Kim
Nutrients 2025, 17(20), 3292; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203292 - 20 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3242
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although vitamin D has been associated with sarcopenia in older adults, evidence across age groups remains limited. This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and muscle health in Korean adults aged ≥19 years. Methods: Data utilized in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although vitamin D has been associated with sarcopenia in older adults, evidence across age groups remains limited. This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and muscle health in Korean adults aged ≥19 years. Methods: Data utilized in this study were obtained from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IX-1. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were analyzed in relation to appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), grip strength, and sarcopenia using multivariable regression models. Results: Among 3,920 participants, 46.5% had VDD, with the highest prevalence observed in younger adults. After adjusting for age, body mass index, energy intake, and other confounding factors, serum 25(OH)D levels showed a positive association with ASM in middle-aged men (β = 0.005; p = 0.007) and with maximal handgrip strength in young men (β = 0.097; p = 0.048). Among older men, those with VDD had significantly higher odds of low muscle mass (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.10–3.02) and sarcopenia (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.03–5.16) than those without VDD, after adjusting for potential confounders. No significant associations were observed in women. Conclusions: These results suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may benefit muscle health in men. Further prospective or interventional studies are needed to more accurately assess the effects of vitamin D on muscle health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases)
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14 pages, 737 KB  
Article
Non-Linear Associations Between Serum Vitamin D and Uric Acid in Korean Adults: 2022–2023 KNHANES Data
by Hyang-Rae Lee and Nam-Seok Joo
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2398; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152398 - 22 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2321
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate both the linear and non-linear associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and serum uric acid concentrations in Korean adults, with a particular focus on the vitamin D-insufficient range (<30 ng/mL), and to explore the potential metabolic [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate both the linear and non-linear associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and serum uric acid concentrations in Korean adults, with a particular focus on the vitamin D-insufficient range (<30 ng/mL), and to explore the potential metabolic implications of this relationship. Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we analyzed 10,864 adults aged 19 years and older. Serum vitamin D levels were categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4), and their relationships with uric acid concentrations were examined using Pearson correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and restricted cubic spline regression. Multivariate models were adjusted for potential confounders including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), kidney function, chronic disease status, and macronutrient intake. Results: In unadjusted analysis, a statistically significant but weak negative correlation was observed between serum 25(OH)D and uric acid levels (Pearson’s r = −0.092, p < 0.001). However, in multivariate regression adjusting for confounders, a weak positive association emerged. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed significant positive associations in the lower quartiles (Q1–Q3), with the strongest association in Q3 (β = 0.769, 95% CI: 0.34–1.19, p < 0.001). No significant association was observed in the highest quartile (Q4). Conclusions: Serum vitamin D and uric acid concentrations show a non-linear relationship, with a significant positive association within the vitamin D-insufficient range (<30 ng/mL). These findings provide new insights into the potential metabolic role of vitamin D and highlight the need for longitudinal and interventional studies to clarify causality and clinical significance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases)
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Review

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21 pages, 932 KB  
Review
The Neuroprotective Potential of Vitamin D3
by Jacek Pietruszkiewicz, Katarzyna Mrozek, Mateusz Zwierz, Agata Wińska, Maria Suprunowicz, Aleksandra Julia Oracz and Napoleon Waszkiewicz
Nutrients 2025, 17(20), 3202; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203202 - 12 Oct 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4737
Abstract
Vitamin D3 plays a pivotal role not only in bone health but also in the functioning of the nervous system, particularly in the context of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Vitamin D3 deficiency has [...] Read more.
Vitamin D3 plays a pivotal role not only in bone health but also in the functioning of the nervous system, particularly in the context of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Vitamin D3 deficiency has been associated with cognitive decline, heightened inflammation, and shortened leukocyte telomere length, which may contribute to accelerated cellular aging. Therapeutic interventions involving vitamin D3 have been reported in selected clinical studies and meta-analyses to potentially enhance cognitive function, decrease amyloid β biomarkers, and prolong telomere length, although heterogeneity remains across study designs and populations. Furthermore, vitamin D3 has been shown to influence the expression of genes implicated in DNA repair and oxidative stress response, including NRF2, OGG1, MYH, and MTH1. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of vitamin D3 action in the context of neuroprotection and discusses potential directions for future research, including its possible therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Age-Related Diseases)
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