In this episode, we explore the role of Vitamin D in brain health, focusing on how its active form, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), influences cognitive function and neuroprotection. We’ll discuss the synthesis of Vitamin D, its conversion into its active form, and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to exert effects on neurons and glial cells. Additionally, we will highlight how calcitriol regulates gene expression through Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs), impacting inflammation, antioxidant defense, and neurotrophic support. Finally, we touch on the symptoms of low Vitamin D and the link to cognitive decline.
Topics:
1. Introduction to Vitamin D and the Brain
- Forms of Vitamin D, synthesis, conversion/activation, and its role in the brain
2. Vitamin D
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), plant-based sources like mushrooms
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), UVB radiation, animal-based foods
- Inactive forms
3. Synthesis and Conversion of Vitamin D3
- Synthesis in the skin: 7-dehydrocholesterol converts to pre-vitamin D3
- Conversion in the liver: 25-hydroxylase converts D3 to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol)
- Final activation in the kidneys: 1-alpha-hydroxylase converts calcidiol to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol), the active form
4. Calcitriol and the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Calcitriol’s lipophilic nature, crossing the BBB
- The structure and function of the blood-brain barrier
- How calcitriol diffuses across the BBB and reaches brain cells
5. Calcitriol's Role in the Brain
- Interaction with Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in neurons and glial cells
- VDRs in key brain regions: hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia
- Binding of calcitriol to VDRs, conformational change, and formation of the VDR-RXR complex
6. Gene Regulation via Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs)
- Overview of VDREs in promoter regions of genes
- Role of calcitriol in activating or repressing gene transcription
7. Impact on Inflammatory Responses
- VDREs in anti-inflammatory genes promote IL-10 expression
- Calcitriol’s role in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha
8. Neurotrophic Factors
- VDREs’ role in regulating genes that promote BDNF
- BDNF’s impact on neuron survival, growth, and synaptic connectivity
9. Antioxidant Enzymes
- VDREs influence the expression of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- The role of these enzymes in defending neurons from oxidative stress
10. Brain Regions & Calcitriol
- Hippocampus: Learning, memory, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity
- Prefrontal Cortex: Executive functions, mood regulation
- Cerebellum: Motor control, cognitive processing, calcium homeostasis
- Basal Ganglia: Movement regulation, protection of dopaminergic neurons
- Amygdala: Emotion processing, fear, anxiety, stress response
11. Interconnection of Brain Regions
- How Vitamin D’s effects on neurotransmitter regulation, anti-inflammatory action, and calcium homeostasis create a global protective effect.
12. Conclusion
- Recap of calcitriol’s cellular mechanisms and neuroprotective effects
- Symptoms of low Vitamin D
Thank you to our episode sponsor:
1. Check out Daily Nouri and use code CHLOE20 for 20% off your order.
Thanks for tuning in!
Get Chloe's Book Today! "75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks"
Follow Chloe on Instagram @synthesisofwellness
Follow Chloe on TikTok @chloe_c_porter
Visit synthesisofwellness.com to purchase products, subscribe to our mailing list, and more!
View all episodes
By Chloe Porter
4.8
6161 ratings
In this episode, we explore the role of Vitamin D in brain health, focusing on how its active form, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), influences cognitive function and neuroprotection. We’ll discuss the synthesis of Vitamin D, its conversion into its active form, and its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to exert effects on neurons and glial cells. Additionally, we will highlight how calcitriol regulates gene expression through Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs), impacting inflammation, antioxidant defense, and neurotrophic support. Finally, we touch on the symptoms of low Vitamin D and the link to cognitive decline.
Topics:
1. Introduction to Vitamin D and the Brain
- Forms of Vitamin D, synthesis, conversion/activation, and its role in the brain
2. Vitamin D
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), plant-based sources like mushrooms
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), UVB radiation, animal-based foods
- Inactive forms
3. Synthesis and Conversion of Vitamin D3
- Synthesis in the skin: 7-dehydrocholesterol converts to pre-vitamin D3
- Conversion in the liver: 25-hydroxylase converts D3 to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol)
- Final activation in the kidneys: 1-alpha-hydroxylase converts calcidiol to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol), the active form
4. Calcitriol and the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Calcitriol’s lipophilic nature, crossing the BBB
- The structure and function of the blood-brain barrier
- How calcitriol diffuses across the BBB and reaches brain cells
5. Calcitriol's Role in the Brain
- Interaction with Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in neurons and glial cells
- VDRs in key brain regions: hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia
- Binding of calcitriol to VDRs, conformational change, and formation of the VDR-RXR complex
6. Gene Regulation via Vitamin D Response Elements (VDREs)
- Overview of VDREs in promoter regions of genes
- Role of calcitriol in activating or repressing gene transcription
7. Impact on Inflammatory Responses
- VDREs in anti-inflammatory genes promote IL-10 expression
- Calcitriol’s role in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha
8. Neurotrophic Factors
- VDREs’ role in regulating genes that promote BDNF
- BDNF’s impact on neuron survival, growth, and synaptic connectivity
9. Antioxidant Enzymes
- VDREs influence the expression of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
- The role of these enzymes in defending neurons from oxidative stress
10. Brain Regions & Calcitriol
- Hippocampus: Learning, memory, neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity
- Prefrontal Cortex: Executive functions, mood regulation
- Cerebellum: Motor control, cognitive processing, calcium homeostasis
- Basal Ganglia: Movement regulation, protection of dopaminergic neurons
- Amygdala: Emotion processing, fear, anxiety, stress response
11. Interconnection of Brain Regions
- How Vitamin D’s effects on neurotransmitter regulation, anti-inflammatory action, and calcium homeostasis create a global protective effect.
12. Conclusion
- Recap of calcitriol’s cellular mechanisms and neuroprotective effects
- Symptoms of low Vitamin D
Thank you to our episode sponsor:
1. Check out Daily Nouri and use code CHLOE20 for 20% off your order.
Thanks for tuning in!
Get Chloe's Book Today! "75 Gut-Healing Strategies & Biohacks"
Follow Chloe on Instagram @synthesisofwellness
Follow Chloe on TikTok @chloe_c_porter
Visit synthesisofwellness.com to purchase products, subscribe to our mailing list, and more!
5,003 Listeners
7,213 Listeners
1,541 Listeners
774 Listeners
1,874 Listeners
388 Listeners
775 Listeners
4,831 Listeners
3,472 Listeners
9,273 Listeners
69 Listeners
280 Listeners
1,649 Listeners
1,143 Listeners
76 Listeners