THE ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN ENHANCING BONE HEALING MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This paper examines how Vitamin D is important to the healing of the bones, not only the biological functions, but also the clinical aspects of bone healing after fracture. Calcium and phosphate are homeostatic minerals whose vitamin D, in its active form, calcitriol, regulates. It also affects the action of the osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and osteoclast (bone resorbing cells), which are major actors in bone remodeling. The paper discusses the impacts of pre-existing Vitamin D levels and supplementation in bone healing and that adequate levels of Vitamin D have a great effect in speeding up bone healing and avoiding complications of slowing down union or non-union particularly in people with low Vitamin D levels. Nonetheless, although there are clinical trials that indicate that supplementation is beneficial to persons with deficiencies, the findings are inconclusive among persons whose Vitamin D levels are normal. The paper highlights that the biological mechanisms behind the effect of Vitamin D on bone repair are well comprehended; however, the evidence on the clinical effect of supplementation is inconclusive and should be researched. The findings are helpful in the need to keep the best level of Vitamin D in fracture recovery and recommends that future research aim at establishing the optimum dosage and timing to take supplements to improve the therapeutic treatment outcome in patients with different Vitamin D statuses.