Our Comment:
Common vitamin D has not lost its significance even though such potent metabolites as calcifediol and calcitriol are now available as drugs. The latter are indicated for the comparatively rare diseases that do not respond to cholecalciferol (e.g. hepatic or renal osteomalacia). For the prevention of age related osteopenia the role of vitamin D might be greater than was assumed for a long time. Recent studies suggest a beneficial effect of the vitamin. There are also speculations that the vitamin hormone may be used for other indications (skin diseases?).