Efficacy of Nano-Based Strategies on the Safe Delivery and Bioavailability of Vitamin D: Review

Abstract

Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient; it is necessary for human well-being, including brain and heart health; its deficiency is widespread and can lead to fatal diseases. Daily consumed foods are enriched and fortified with vitamin D; still, adequate bioavailability and safe delivery are significant issues. In the food system, due to unfavorable conditions, vitamin D loses its nature and functionality; likewise, it is fat-soluble and can’t be incorporated into juices and soft drinks. Due to the acidic nature of the gastric environment, the timely release and adequate bioavailability of vitamin D is also hampered. Therefore, the most challenging and critical issue is the application of techniques to safeguard vitamin D for its optimum functionality. Recently food researchers and nutritionists are developing innovative methods using nanotechnology to ensure the safety of vitamin D, its timely release and absorbance during digestion. This review reflects valuable data, precisely the effectiveness of recently developed nano-based methods on vitamin D’s sustainability, retention, and bioavailability, including nano-encapsulation, nanoemulsion, mixed micelles, complexation, and Conjugation. This manuscript also discusses some of the important clinical trialed based health benefits of vitamin D, summarizes the most recent techniques developed, and demonstrates understanding of novel methods and future developments.