The problem of vitamin D deficiency among the population and the efficacy of drugs in increasing its level

Abstract

A review of the literature shows that cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol and calcifediol are currently used in foreign and domestic practice to increase vitamin D levels, while there is no consensus on the effectiveness, necessity and possibility of using one or another type of vitamin D supplements. In this regard, we conducted statistical studies of the effectiveness of increasing the level of vitamin D in the patient's blood serum, and also made an analysis of literary sources on the biological activity and safety of the use of cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol and calcifediol. Research has shown that cholecalciferol is currently the most commonly used vitamin D supplement, with calcifediol gaining popularity, which is an order of magnitude superior to cholecalciferol in terms of dose-time-effectiveness. Clinical studies by foreign authors have shown that the use of calcifediol in some cases is accompanied by an improvement in muscle function, a decrease in systolic blood pressure, restoration of acceptable levels of parathyroid hormone and other positive biological effects. Also, there is no doubt about the safety and absence of toxic effects of calcifediol as a therapeutic agent. Most foreign experts studying the applicability of calcifediol for the treatment of patients indicate its increased hydrophilicity, which provides it with the greatest advantages in the treatment of diseases associated with a decrease in absorption in the intestine. It is clear that large-scale laboratory and clinical studies are needed to obtain final conclusions about the therapeutic usefulness, scope, dosage and duration of use of calcifediol, however, the prospect of widespread use of this drug as a therapeutic agent is also beyond doubt.