THE ROLE OF VITAMIN-D IN TOXIC METAL ABSORPTION - A REVIEW

Vitamin D increases intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption. Not s o well known, however, is that vitamin D stimulates the co-absorption of other essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc; toxic meta ls including lead, cadmium, aluminum, and cobalt; and radioactive isot opes such as (89,90)strontium and (137)cesium. Vitamin D may contribut e to the pathologies induced by toxic metals by increasing their absor ption and retention. Reciprocally, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and stront ium interfere with normal vitamin D metabolism by blocking renal synth esis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This is the first review of the role of the vitamin D endocrine system in metal toxicology.