Vitamins: Absorption, Metabolism and Bioavailability

Dear Colleagues,

Lifestyles and dietary regimens have been demonstrated to have positive effects on health. In particular, the appropriate application and combination of nutraceuticals (micronutrients, minerals, hormones and vitamins) are able to modulate the inflammatory response by preventing the development and progression of various pathologies, as well as those that affect the nervous system.

Prolonged deficiencies or the dysregulation of both water-soluble vitamins (such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and vitamin C) and fat-soluble vitamins (such as A,D,E.K) can participate in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease (HD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In most of these neurodegenerative diseases, including PD and AD, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress primarily promote the death of neurons.

Vitamin A exhibits potent antioxidant activity and controls neural cell differentiation, vitamin C minimizes oxidative stress, and vitamin D inhibits neuroinflammation and protects dopaminergic neurons in PD. In AD and PD, vitamins of the B group regulate homocysteine, thus ​​protecting against neurodegeneration. In PD and AD, vitamins prevent, respectively, the oligomerization of alpha-synuclein and Aβ plaque formation. In MS, both vitamin A and vitamin D exhibit specific mechanisms, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities.

Future studies and human clinical trials are required in order more comprehensively elucidate the efficacy and the protective role of vitamins in neurodegenerative diseases.

This Special Issue delves into the absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability of vitamins, exploring how these factors influence their efficacy in combating inflammation. Additionally, the Special Issue highlights the specific relevance of water- and fat-soluble vitamins in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and emerging evidence suggests that vitamins may offer protective effects against neuroinflammation and neuronal damage.

By examining the intricate relationship between vitamins, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of vitamin supplementation in the prevention and treatment of these debilitating conditions. The collection of research articles and reviews presented in this Special Issue will contribute to advancing knowledge in this field and may guide future research and clinical practices.

Dr. Maria Morello
Guest Editor

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• vitamins
• absorption
• metabolism
• bioavailability
• inflammation
• neurodegenerative diseases
• Parkinson's disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• multiple sclerosis
• Huntington disease
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• therapeutic interventions