The full form of the VDR receptor is Vitamin D Receptor.
The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a protein that allows the body to respond to vitamin D. The VDR gene contains the instructions for creating this crucial protein. We obtain vitamin D through our diet and the body's own production triggered by sunlight exposure.
The VDR, once bound to vitamin D, acts as a transcription factor, influencing the expression of numerous genes involved in various physiological processes. These processes include:
- Calcium absorption in the gut
- Bone metabolism
- Immune system function
- Cell growth and differentiation
Dysfunction or deficiency related to the VDR can contribute to a range of health problems.
