Michael F. Holick

After earning a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, a medical degree, and completing a research postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Holick completed a residency in medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.{{cite web |url=http://nutrition.med.harvard.edu/personnel/biosketch/Holick_bio.pdf |title=med.harvard.edu - Biographical Sketch M.F. Holick |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627083438/http://nutrition.med.harvard.edu/personnel/biosketch/Holick_bio.pdf |archive-date=2010-06-27 }}

He is an adult endocrinologist and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics and director of the Bone Health Care Clinic and the Heliotherapy, Light, and Skin Research Center at Boston University Medical Center.{{cite web |url=http://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/faculty/holick/ |title=Boston University School of Medicine, Michael F. Holick Ph.D., M.D. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610183228/http://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/faculty/holick/ |archive-date=2012-06-10 }} It provides extensive evaluation and treatment programs for children and adults with various metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis, osteomalacia, stress fractures in young athletic women and men, and minimum trauma and nontraumatic fractures in infants, children and adults with hypermobility syndromes, Osteogenesis imperfecta, and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.{{cite web |url=http://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/clinics/bone/ |title=Vitamin D and Bone Metabolism Unit at Boston University}} He has been director of the General Clinical Research Unit at Boston University for several years.

Holick serves as chair of NASA's "Human Health Countermeasures Element" Standing Review Panel,{{cite web |url=http://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/reviews/2010%20SRP%20Report.pdf |title=Human Research Program 2010 Chair Standing Review Panel Meeting}} chair of the Endocrine Practice Guidelines Committee for Vitamin D,{{cite journal |pmid=21646368 |year=2011 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Binkley |first2=NC |last3=Bischoff-Ferrari |first3=HA |last4=Gordon |first4=CM |last5=Hanley |first5=DA |last6=Heaney |first6=RP |last7=Murad |first7=MH |last8=Weaver |first8=CM |last9=Endocrine Society| display-authors = 8 |title=Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline |volume=96 |issue=7 |pages=1911–30 |journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab |doi=10.1210/jc.2011-0385 |first9=Society|doi-access=free }} and editor-in-chief of the medical journal Clinical Laboratory.{{cite web |url=http://www.clin-lab-publications.com/editorial.html?PHPSESSID=f5626dc331cf5a5d6d10904346d25e62 |title=Journal of Clinical Laboratory - Editorial Board - Editor-In-Chief - MF Holick |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119092751/http://www.clin-lab-publications.com/editorial.html?PHPSESSID=f5626dc331cf5a5d6d10904346d25e62 |archive-date=2013-01-19 }}

Holick made discoveries in the field of vitamin D that have led to novel therapies for metabolic bone diseases, hypocalcemic disorders, and psoriasis. He is author of more than 400 publications about the biochemistry, physiology, metabolism and photobiology of vitamin D and the pathophysiology of vitamin D deficiency.{{cite web |url=https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/48733 |title=Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Michael Holick}}

His scientific work increased awareness in the pediatric and medical communities regarding vitamin D deficiency,{{cite journal |pmid=18400738 |year=2008 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Chen |first2=TC |title=Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences |volume=87 |issue=4 |pages=1080S–6S |journal=Am J Clin Nutr |doi=10.1093/ajcn/87.4.1080s|doi-access=free }} and its role in causing not only metabolic bone disease, and osteoporosis in adults, but increasing risk of children and adults developing common deadly cancers, autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and heart disease,{{cite journal |pmid=17634462 |year=2007 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |title=Vitamin D deficiency |volume=357 |issue=3 |pages=266–81 |journal=N Engl J Med |doi=10.1056/NEJMra070553|s2cid=18566028 }} as discussed in his review article.

He has been quoted and his scientific work has been referenced in The New York Times,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/magazine/21FOB-Q4-t.html |title=Dr. Sunshine|work=The New York Times |date=19 March 2010 |last1=Solomon |first1=Interview by Deborah }} Forbes,{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/11/06/019b.html |title=Update on Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D|website=Forbes }}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/05/06/sun-vitamin-d-lifestyle-health-sun-vitamin.html |title=Why You Should Be Getting More Sun|website=Forbes }} Newsweek,{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/01/22/the-nature-of-nutrients.html |title=The nature of nutrients |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=2012-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125134540/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/01/22/the-nature-of-nutrients.html |archive-date=2012-01-25 |url-status=dead }} Men's Health,{{cite web |url=http://www.menshealth.com/spotlight/skin/get_some_sun2.php |title=Get some sun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105185900/http://www.menshealth.com/spotlight/skin/get_some_sun2.php |archive-date=2013-11-05 }} Scientific American{{cite web |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=five-years-after-being-fired-sun-ex-2009-01-30 |title=Scientific American - The Vitamin D and sun debate|website=Scientific American }} and Time.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/M.-F.-Holick/e/B001K6Y32E |title=Bibliography M.F. Holick|website=Amazon }}

He wrote several books about the importance of vitamin D and its beneficial health effects to the broad public, and discussed the benefits of sensible and the risks of excessive sun exposure.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&ie=UTF8&field-author=Michael%20Holick |title=Books - Michael F. Holick|website=Amazon }}{{cite book |title=The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problems |last=Holick |first=MF |year=2011 |publisher=Plume 1st edition |isbn=978-0452296886 }}

As a graduate student, he identified the major circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3,{{cite journal |pmid=4332591 |year=1972 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Deluca |first2=HF |last3=Avioli |first3=LV |title=Isolation and identification of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol from human plasma |volume=129 |issue=1 |pages=56–61 |journal=Archives of Internal Medicine |doi=10.1001/archinte.1972.00320010060005}} which is the vitamin D metabolite that is measured by physicians worldwide to determine a patient's vitamin D status.{{cite journal |pmid=8825231 |year=1996 |last1=Hollis |first1=BW |title=Assessment of vitamin D nutritional and hormonal status: what to measure and how to do it |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=4–5 |journal=Calcif Tissue Int |doi=10.1007/BF02509538|s2cid=35887181 }} He also identified the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3,{{cite journal |pmid=4326883 |year=1971 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Schnoes |first2=HK |last3=Deluca |first3=HF |last4=Suda |first4=T |last5=Cousins |first5=RJ |title=Isolation and identification of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. A metabolite of vitamin D active in intestine |volume=10 |issue=14 |pages=2799–804 |journal=Biochemistry |doi=10.1021/bi00790a023}} as well as other metabolites including 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3,{{cite journal |pmid=4342902 |year=1972 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Schnoes |first2=HK |last3=Deluca |first3=HF |last4=Gray |first4=RW |last5=Boyle |first5=IT |last6=Suda |first6=T |title=Isolation and identification of 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, a metabolite of vitamin D made in the kidney |volume=11 |issue=23 |pages=4251–5 |journal=Biochemistry |doi=10.1021/bi00773a009}} 1,24,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3{{cite journal |pmid=4355503 |year=1973 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Kleiner-Bossaller |first2=A |last3=Schnoes |first3=HK |last4=Kasten |first4=PM |last5=Boyle |first5=IT |last6=Deluca |first6=HF |title=1,24,25-Trihydroxyvitamin D3. A metabolite of vitamin D3 effective on intestine |volume=248 |issue=19 |pages=6691–6 |journal=The Journal of Biological Chemistry|doi=10.1016/S0021-9258(19)43408-X |doi-access=free }} and 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3.{{cite journal |pmid=4319987 |year=1970 |last1=Deluca |first1=HF |last2=Suda |first2=T |last3=Schnoes |first3=HK |last4=Tanaka |first4=Y |last5=Holick |first5=MF |title=25,26-dihydroxycholecalciferol, a metabolite of vitamin D3 with intestinal calcium transport activity |volume=9 |issue=24 |pages=4776–80 |journal=Biochemistry |doi=10.1021/bi00826a022}}

As a fellow, he participated in the first chemical synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3{{cite journal|pmc=389047 | pmid=4323790 | volume=68 | title=Identification of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D3 metabolically active in the intestine | date=April 1971 | journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. | pages=803–4 | last1 = Holick | first1 = MF | last2 = Schnoes | first2 = HK | last3 = DeLuca | first3 = HF | issue=4 | doi=10.1073/pnas.68.4.803| bibcode=1971PNAS...68..803H | doi-access=free }} and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3{{cite journal |doi=10.1126/science.1188356 |title=Synthesis of (6-3H)-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and its metabolism in vivo to (3H)-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 |year=1975 |last1=Holick |first1=M. |last2=Holick |first2=S. |last3=Tavela |first3=T |last4=Gallagher |first4=B |last5=Schnoes |first5=H. |last6=Deluca |first6=H. |journal=Science |volume=190 |issue=4214 |pages=576–8 |pmid=1188356|s2cid=21530294 }} to treat renal osteodystrophy,{{cite journal |pmid=1111876 |year=1975 |last1=Silverberg |first1=DS |last2=Bettcher |first2=KB |last3=Dossetor |first3=JB |last4=Overton |first4=TR |last5=Holick |first5=MF |last6=Deluca |first6=HF |title=Effect of I,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in renal osteodystrophy |volume=112 |issue=2 |pages=190, 193–5 |pmc=1956416 |journal=Canadian Medical Association Journal}} hypoparathyroidism,{{cite journal |doi=10.1056/NEJM197510232931702 |title=Treatment of Hypoparathyroidism and Pseudohypoparathyroidism with Metabolites of Vitamin D: Evidence for Impaired Conversion of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D to 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D |year=1975 |last1=Kooh |first1=Sang Whay |last2=Fraser |first2=Donald |last3=Deluca |first3=Hector F. |last4=Holick |first4=Michael F. |last5=Belsey |first5=Richard E. |last6=Clark |first6=Mary B. |last7=Murray |first7=Timothy M. |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |volume=293 |issue=17 |pages=840–4 |pmid=170516}}{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/0026-0495(75)90055-4 |title=Effects of 1α-hydroxy-vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in hypoparathyroidism |year=1975 |last1=Neer |first1=R.M. |last2=Holick |first2=M.F. |last3=Deluca |first3=H.F. |last4=Potts |first4=J.T. |journal=Metabolism |volume=24 |issue=12 |pages=1403–13 |pmid=1196134}} vitamin D dependent rickets type I,{{cite journal |pmid=169507 |year=1975 |last1=Balsan |first1=S |last2=Garabedian |first2=M |last3=Sorgniard |first3=R |last4=Holick |first4=MF |last5=Deluca |first5=HF |title=1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1, alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in children: Biologic and therapeutic effects in nutritional rickets and different types of vitamin D resistance |volume=9 |issue=7 |pages=586–93 |journal=Pediatric Research |doi=10.1203/00006450-197507000-00007|doi-access=free }} and osteoporosis.{{cite journal |pmid=18020534 |year=2007 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |title=Optimal vitamin D status for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis |volume=24 |issue=12 |pages=1017–29 |journal=Drugs & Aging |doi=10.2165/00002512-200724120-00005|s2cid=36958840 }} Furthermore, he elucidated the pathophysiology of hereditary vitamin D-dependent rickets which involves defective vitamin D metabolism,{{cite journal |doi=10.1056/NEJM197310182891601 |title=Pathogenesis of Hereditary Vitamin-D-Dependent Rickets |year=1973 |last1=Fraser |first1=Donald |last2=Kooh |first2=Sang Whay |last3=Kind |first3=H. Peter |last4=Holick |first4=Michael F. |last5=Tanaka |first5=Yoko |last6=Deluca |first6=Hector F. |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |volume=289 |issue=16 |pages=817–22 |pmid=4357855}} and the pathophysiological mechanisms of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.{{cite journal |pmid=4124774 |year=1973 |last1=Glorieux |first1=FH |last2=Holick |first2=MF |last3=Scriver |first3=CR |last4=Deluca |first4=HF |title=X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets: Inadequate therapeutic response to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol |volume=2 |issue=7824 |pages=287–9 |journal=Lancet |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(73)90793-9}}

Holick helped develop the first clinical assays for 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D,{{cite journal |pmid=6286167 |year=1982 |last1=Clemens |first1=TL |last2=Adams |first2=JS |last3=Nolan |first3=JM |last4=Holick |first4=MF |title=Measurement of circulating vitamin D in man |volume=121 |issue=3 |pages=301–8 |journal=Clinica Chimica Acta |doi=10.1016/0009-8981(82)90239-X}} determined how vitamin D3 is made in the skin from sun exposure,{{cite journal |doi=10.1126/science.6251551 |title=Photosynthesis of previtamin D3 in human skin and the physiologic consequences |year=1980 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=MacLaughlin |first2=JA |last3=Clark |first3=MB |last4=Holick |first4=SA |last5=Potts |first5=JT junior |last6=Anderson |first6=RR |last7=Blank |first7=IH |last8=Parrish |first8=JA |last9=Elias |first9=P.| display-authors = 8 |journal=Science |volume=210 |issue=4466 |pages=203–205 |pmid=6251551|bibcode=1980Sci...210..203H }} and established how season,{{cite journal |doi=10.1210/jcem-67-2-373 |title=Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3: Exposure to winter sunlight in Boston and Edmonton will not promote vitamin D3 synthesis in human skin |year=1988 |last1=Webb |first1=AR |last2=Kline |first2=L |last3=Holick |first3=MF |journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab |volume=67 |issue=2 |pages=273–8 |pmid=2839537 |last4=Nielsen |first4=CT |last5=Price |first5=PA |last6=Christiansen |first6=C |last7=Skakkebaek |first7=NE}} time of day,{{cite book |title=Influence of season and time of day on the synthesis of vitamin D3. In: Holick MF, Kligman A, eds. Proceedings of the Biologic Effects of Light Symposium |year=1992 |last1=Lu |first1=Z |last2=Chen |first2=TC |last3=Holick|first3=MF |work=Berlin: Walter De Gruyter & Co |pages=53–6}} skin pigmentation,{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(82)90214-8 |title=Increased skin pigment reduces the capacity of the skin to synthesize vitamin D |year=1982 |last1=Clemens |first1=TL |last2=Adams |first2=JS |last3=Henderson |first3=SL |last4=Holick |first4=MF |journal=Lancet |volume=1 |issue=8263 |pages=74–6 |pmid=6119494|s2cid=41818974 }} sunscreen use,{{cite journal |doi=10.1210/jcem-64-6-1165 |title=Sunscreens suppress cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis |year=1987 |last1=Matsuoka |first1=LY |last2=Ide |first2=L |last3=Wortsman |first3=J |last4=MacLaughlin |first4=JA |last5=Holick |first5=MF |journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab |volume=64 |issue=6 |pages=1165–8 |pmid=3033008}} and latitude influenced this vital cutaneous process.

He established that the skin was not only the organ responsible for making vitamin D3 but was also a target tissue for its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/1523-1747.ep12276343 |title=Effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the morphologic and biochemical differentiation of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes grown in serum-free conditions |year=1986 |last1=Smith |first1=EL |last2=Walworth |first2=NC |last3=Holick |first3=MF |journal=J. Invest. Dermatol. |volume=86 |issue=6 |pages=709–14 |pmid=2423618|doi-access= }} He determined the extremely inhibitory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on keratinocyte proliferation and the promoting effects on differentiation, and translated these seminal observations by demonstrating that the topical application of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and several of its analogs were effective for the treatment of psoriasis.{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2133.1996.tb07608.x |title=Efficacy and safety of topical calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin d3) for the treatment of psoriasis |year=1996 |last1=Pèrez |first1=A |last2=Chen |first2=TC |last3=Turner |first3=A |last4=Raab |first4=R | last5=Bhawan | first5=J | last6=Poche | first6=P | last7=Holick | first7=MF |journal=Br J Dermatol |volume=134 |issue=2 |pages=238–46 |pmid=8746336|s2cid=24213908 }}

He demonstrated that macrophages{{cite journal |doi=10.1210/jcem-60-5-960 |title=Isolation and structural identification of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 produced by cultured alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis |year=1985 |last1=Adams |first1=JS |last2=Singer |first2=FR |last3=Dacad |first3=MA |last4=Sharma |first4=OP |last5=Hayes |first5=MJ |last6=Vouros |first6=P |last7=Holick |first7=MF |journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab |volume=60 |issue=5 |pages=960–6 |pmid=2984238}} and prostate cells{{cite journal |title=Human prostate cells synthesize 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 |year=1998 |last1=Schwartz |first1=GG |last2=Whitlatch |first2=LW |last3=Chen |first3=TC |last4=Lokeshwar |first4=BL | last5=Holick| first5=MF |journal=Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev |volume=7 |issue=5 |pages=391–5 |pmid=9610788}} have the enzymatic machinery to produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and established that the extrarenal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 may play a crucial role not only in cancer prevention but also in regulating the immune system.{{cite journal |title=Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease |year=2004 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |journal=Am J Clin Nutr |volume=80 |issue=6 |pages=1678S–88S |pmid=15585788 |doi=10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1678s|doi-access=free }}

He developed a vitamin D absorption test{{cite journal |pmid=21910173 |year=2011 |last1=Farraye |first1=FA |last2=Nimitphong |first2=H |last3=Stucchi |first3=A |last4=Dendrinos |first4=K |last5=Boulanger |first5=A |last6=Vijjeswarapu |first6=A |last7=Tanennbaum |first7=A |last8=Biancuzzo |first8=R |last9=Chen |first9=TC | display-authors = 8|title=Use of a novel vitamin D bioavailability test demonstrates that vitamin D absorption is decreased in patients with quiescent Crohn's disease |volume=17 |issue=10 |pages=2116–21 |journal=Inflamm Bowel Dis |doi=10.1002/ibd.21595|s2cid=4940789 }} and demonstrated that vitamin D was bioavailable in orange juice, leading to fortification of juice products in the United States.{{cite journal |pmid=12791627 |year=2003 |last1=Tangpricha |first1=V |last2=Koutkia |first2=P |last3=Rieke |first3=SM |last4=Chen |first4=TC |last5=Perez |first5=AA |last6=Holick |first6=MF |title=Fortification of orange juice with vitamin D: a novel approach for enhancing vitamin D nutritional health |volume=77 |issue=6 |pages=1478–83 |journal=Am J Clin Nutr |doi=10.1093/ajcn/77.6.1478|doi-access=free }} He also used the test to demonstrate the major cause of vitamin D deficiency in obesity is sequestration of vitamin D in the fat.{{cite journal |pmid=10966885 |year=2000 |last1=Wortsman |first1=J |last2=Matsuoka |first2=LY |last3=Chen |first3=TC |last4=Lu |first4=Z |last5=Holick |first5=MF |title=Decreased bioavailability of vitamin D in obesity |volume=72 |issue=3 |pages=690–3 |journal=Am J Clin Nutr|doi=10.1093/ajcn/72.3.690 |doi-access=free }}

He helped perform dose escalation studies establishing how much vitamin D is required to maintain blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the sufficient range for adults. These studies also demonstrated that up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D a day for 5 months did not cause toxicity.{{cite journal |pmid=12499343 |year=2003 |last1=Heaney |first1=RP |last2=Davies |first2=KM |last3=Chen |first3=TC |last4=Holick |first4=MF |last5=Barger-Lux |first5=MJ |title=Human serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol |volume=77 |issue=1 |pages=204–10 |journal=Am J Clin Nutr |doi=10.1093/ajcn/77.1.204|doi-access=free }}

Holick has been involved in several medical controversies. While at Boston University, he was asked to leave the Division of Dermatology because of his promoting the medical benefits of sun exposure. He accepted research funding for this work from a non-profit tanning bed company, considered by many to be an important potential bias. Barbara Gilchrest, then head of the department at Boston University, called Holick's book "shlock science" and Holick "a poster boy for the tanning industry".{{Cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-child-abuse-contrarian|author=David Armstrong |title=The Child-Abuse Contrarian|newspaper=The New Yorker|date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=2018-09-30}}

Holick received nearly $163,000 from 2013 to 2017 from pharmaceutical companies, according to Medicare’s Open Payments database, which tracks payments from drug and device manufacturers. The companies paying him included Sanofi-Aventis, which markets vitamin D supplements; Shire, which makes drugs for hormonal disorders that are given with vitamin D; Amgen, which makes an osteoporosis treatment; and Roche Diagnostics and Quidel Corp., which both make vitamin D tests.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/business/vitamin-d-michael-holick.html|title=Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Behind It|last=Szabo|first=Liz|date=2018-08-18|work=New York Times|access-date=2018-10-07}}

Holick has also been criticized by other physicians because of his testimony, defending accused child abusers by asserting that Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is a cause of non-traumatic fractures in infancy (rather than abuse).{{Cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/03/12/boston-university-researcher-draws-fire-for-claiming-some-broken-bones-caused-rare-disease-not-abuse/fnzVvJAu7QC6pOiuNFxcFO/amp.html|author=Jenifer McKim |title=Boston University researcher draws fire for claiming some broken bones caused by rare disease, not abuse |newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=March 13, 2015 |access-date=2017-11-25}} In one case of a child who had suffered broken bones in which Holick defended the accused parent, the child later went on to suffer severe brain injury, for which the parent, named Robert Marvin Ray, has been indicted.{{Cite news |url=https://www.counton2.com/news/south-carolina-news/midlands-father-charged-with-abusing-infant-daughter-who-suffered-permanent-brain-damage/1031606810|author=Shawn Cabbagestalk |title=Midlands father charged with abusing infant daughter who suffered permanent brain damage|newspaper=WCBD News 2|date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=2018-09-30}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/916072|title=Boston Hospital Reports Disciplining of Child Abuse Skeptic|website=Medscape|access-date=2019-08-02}}{{cite web |last1=Armstrong |first1=David |title=Boston Hospital Reports Disciplining of Renowned Child Abuse Skeptic |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/boston-hospital-reports-disciplining-of-renowned-child-abuse-skeptic |website=ProPublica |date=2019-07-24 |language=en}}

Since May 2017, Holick has been barred from evaluating or treating children by Boston Medical Center, which subsequently reported him to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine for "health care facility discipline", but is still allowed to evaluate children who are participating in his research project. Boston University has defended Holick's right to testify in courts, as part of his academic freedom.

Holick has speculated that the dinosaurs may have died of rickets and osteomalacia caused by a lack of vitamin D in reduced sunlight.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/18/business/vitamin-d-michael-holick.html|title=Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Behind It|work=The New York Times|date=18 August 2018|first=Liz|last=Szabo}}

A paper on Vitamin D to treat COVID19 has been retracted.{{cite web | url=https://retractionwatch.com/2024/06/24/paper-recommending-vitamin-d-for-covid-19-retracted-four-years-after-expression-of-concern/ | title=Paper recommending vitamin D for COVID-19 retracted four years after expression of concern | date=24 June 2024 }}

Holick has been awarded for his contributions to the field of vitamin D research with prizes,{{cite web |url=http://www.uvadvantage.org/AboutDrHolick/Biography/tabid/54/Default.aspx#awards |title=The UV advantage - biography - awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903153516/http://www.uvadvantage.org/AboutDrHolick/Biography/tabid/54/Default.aspx#awards |archive-date=2011-09-03 }} including:

• Merit Award from the National Institute of Health
• American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Fuller Albright Award
• Mead Johnson Award
• Osborne and Mendel Award, the McCollum Award
• Robert H. Herman Award from the American Society for Clinical Nutrition
• ACN Award from the American College of Nutrition
• NIH’s General Clinical Research Center's Program Award for Excellence in Clinical Research
• Psoriasis Research Achievement Award from the American Skin Association
• DSM Innovation in Nutrition Award{{cite web |url=http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/da/WinnersNutritionAward_2009.htm |title=DSM Nutrition Award 2009 presented to Michael Holick and Heike Bischoff-Ferrari |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312045323/http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/da/WinnersNutritionAward_2009.htm |archive-date=2013-03-12 }}
• Van Slyke Award from American Association for Clinical Chemistry{{cite web |url=http://www.aacc.org/members/loc_sections/nymetro/Awards/Pages/vsf10dinner.aspx |title=American Association for Clinical Chemistry - 2010 Van Slyke Award}}
• Linus Pauling Prize In Human Nutrition{{cite web |url=http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/recipient.html |title=2009 Linus Pauling Institute Prize Recipient |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307022938/http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/recipient.html |archive-date=2012-03-07 }}
• Delbert A Fisher Research Scholar Award from the Endocrine Society{{cite web |url=http://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm-news/2011/06/21/holick-honored-by-the-endocrine-society/ |title=Dr. Holick honored by Endocrine Society}}
• American College of Nutrition's Communication Media Award{{cite web |url=http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111123/BUSM-professor-receives-2011-ACN-Communication-Media-Award.aspx |title=BUSM professor receives 2011 ACN Communication Media Award|date=23 November 2011 }}
• Institute of Functional Medicine’s LPI Award 2007{{Cite web|last=Institute of functional medicine|date=2020|title=About the Linus Pauling Award|url=https://www.ifm.org/about/history/linus-pauling-award-in-functional-medicine/|website=Institute of Functional Medicine}}

• {{cite book |title=The Vitamin D Solution: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problems |last=Holick |first=MF |year=2011 |publisher=Plume 1st edition |isbn=978-0452296886 }}
• {{cite book |title=Nutrition and Bone Health |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Dawson-Hughes |first2=B |year=2010 |orig-year=2004 |publisher=Humana Press |isbn=978-1617374517 }}
• {{cite book |title=Vitamin D: Physiology, Molecular Biology, and Clinical Applications |editor-first=MF |editor-last=Holick |edition=2nd |year=2010 |publisher=Humana Press |isbn=978-1603273008 }}
• {{cite book |title=UV Advantage |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Jenkins |first2=Mark |year=2005|edition=2nd |publisher=IBOOKS |isbn=978-1596879003 }}

• {{cite journal |pmid=17634462 |year=2007 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |title=Vitamin D deficiency |volume=357 |issue=3 |pages=266–81 |journal=N Engl J Med |doi=10.1056/NEJMra070553|s2cid=18566028 }}
• {{cite journal |pmid=16886050 |year=2006 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |title=Resurrection of vitamin D deficiency and rickets. |volume=116 |issue=8 |pages=2062–72 |journal=J Clin Invest |doi=10.1172/JCI29449 |pmc=1523417}}
• {{cite journal |pmid=19858440 |year=2010 |last1=Pietras |first1=SM |last2=Obayan |first2=BK |last3=Chai |first3=MH |last4=Holick |first4=MF |title=Vitamin D2 treatment for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency for up to 6 years. |volume=169 |issue=19 |pages=1806–8 |journal=Arch Intern Med |doi=10.1001/archinternmed.2009.361|doi-access= }}
• {{cite journal |pmid=20427729 |year=2010 |last1=Biancuzzo |first1=RM |last2=Young |first2=A |last3=Bibuld |first3=D |last4=Cai |first4=MH |last5=Winter |first5=RM |last6=Klein |first6=EK |last7=Ameri |first7=A |last8=Reitz |first8=R |last9=Salameh |first9=W |last10=Chen |first10=TC |last11=Holick |first11=MF |title=Fortification of orange juice with vitamin D(2) or vitamin D(3) is as effective as an oral supplement in maintaining vitamin D status in adults. |volume=91 |issue=6 |pages=1621–6 |journal=Am J Clin Nutr |doi=10.3945/ajcn.2009.27972 |pmc=2869510}}
• {{cite journal |pmid=21646368 |year=2011 |last1=Holick |first1=MF |last2=Binkley |first2=NC |last3=Bischoff-Ferrari |first3=HA |last4=Gordon |first4=CM |last5=Hanley |first5=DA |last6=Heaney |first6=RP |last7=Murad |first7=MH |last8=Weaver |first8=CM |last9=Endocrine Society| display-authors = 8 |title=Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. |volume=96 |issue=7 |pages=1911–30 |journal=J Clin Endocrinol Metab |doi=10.1210/jc.2011-0385|doi-access=free }}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120610183228/http://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/faculty/holick/ Boston University School of Medicine: Michael F. Holick]
• [https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/48733 Harvard Catalyst Profiles: Michael Holick]
• {{PubMedAuthorSearch|Holick|MF}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150711173302/http://vitamindhealth.org:80/ Last capture of VitaminDhealth.org]
• [http://drholick.com/ Dr. Holick’s current webpage]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Holick, Michael F.}}

Category:1946 births

Category:Living people

Category:American endocrinologists

Category:Boston University faculty

Category:Light therapy advocates