Consensus statement on vitamin D role in metabolic health

The 8th International Conference Controversies in Vitamin D, held in September 2024, convened leading experts to address the multifaceted role of vitamin D in human health. Key discussions focused on its influence on metabolic health, including effects on sarcopenia, muscle function, and energy metabolism, as well as its role in obesity, cardiovascular health, and diabetes. Preclinical evidence was presented, suggesting a pivotal role of vitamin D in regulating muscle function and repair, potentially preventing sarcopenia. A relationship between low vitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes was supported by several preclinical and clinical studies. Vitamin D supplementation was recently demonstrated to help improve glycemia and reduce the progression to diabetes and increase the likelihood of regression to normal glucose regulation in adults with prediabetes. Despite mixed outcomes from large, population-based randomized clinical trials, the conference underscored the critical need for personalized research, through disease-specific clinical trials, to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential of vitamin D supplementation, particularly in chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In conclusion, while vitamin D demonstrates considerable promise in modifying a wide array of metabolic health concerns, rigorous scientific inquiry is essential to deepen our understanding of its mechanisms as well as potential protective effects and establish evidence-based guidelines for supplementation. This growing body of work has the potential to significantly enhance clinical outcomes and improve public health strategies, calling for continued exploration and collaboration in the field of vitamin D research.