How does Vitamin D protect the body from its Immune System?

CNN Health published a very interesting article about vitamin D and autoimmune disease. "Vitamin D and fish oil supplements may help prevent autoimmune disease, study says" was written by Sandee LaMotte. Before explaining the outcome of this article, What is vitamin D?

What is Vitamin D...?

Vitamin D is 1 of 4 fat-soluble vitamins and is important in bone formation. Natural sources of vitamin D are egg yolk, beans, and fish. However, many other foods like milk, cereal, and orange juice are fortified with vitamin D. Another common source of vitamin D is sunlight. Though UV light does directly place vitamin D into the body, it is essential for vitamin D activation. Thus far there has not been any research on its relationship with autoimmune diseases

Vitamin D reduces the risk of autoimmune disease.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin. But the extent of its effect on the body isn't fully understood. A study that started 7 years ago has brought to light use information about vitamin D. In an ongoing clinical trial, 2 major discoveries were made about the role of vitamin D in preventing autoimmune diseases in persons over 50 years old.

1. 22% reduced rate of autoimmune occurrence in persons over 50 years old.
2. Further 30% reduced rate if omega-3 is taken with vitamin D.

Vitamin D can decreases the occurrence of autoimmune disease in persons over 50 years old.

Older persons often develop certain autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatic, psoriasis, and thyroid diseases. Autoimmune diseases develop when the body's immune cells begin to attack healthy cells of the body. Though older individuals are prone to autoimmune disease, they develop at any age.

The study conducted by Dr. Karen Costenbader, a Harvard Medical School Profession and the study's author concluded that,

People age 50 and older taking 2,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D3 for over five years had a 22% lower relative rate of confirmed autoimmune diagnoses.

The article also stated that persons taking this does for over 2 years recorded a high prevention rate of 30%.

There are 2 concerning things in this study, both of which were addressed by Sandee LaMotte.

Firstly, the persons in the study were consuming 2 to 3 times the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of Vitamin D. According to The Natural Institute of Health the DRI of vitamin D for an adult (under 70 years) is 600 IU and over 70 years it is 700 IU. Since vitamin D is stored by the body and found in several food items supplemental intake is not essential.

Secondly, the study conducted by Dr. Costenbader was done in a small group of individuals, 50 to be exact. All the individuals were over 50 years old. Though it was an interesting study and the results look promising, there is much more room for research on this topic.

Added omega-3 further reduces occurrence risk.

During the study, Dr. Costenbader for that consuming both, vitamin D and omega-3 daily at 2000 IU and 1000 milligrams respectively, decreased the occurrence of autoimmune disease by another 30%. The study, however, found no significant effect of omega03 only on the prevention rate of autoimmune diseases.

A word of caution, before starting a vitamin D supplement consult with your physician first. An excess amount of vitamin D can cause toxicity.

What is the takeaway here?

The study conducted by Dr. Costenbader is the first of its kind investigation into the effects of vitamin D on autoimmune diseases. Thus, there is room for in-depth research into the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmune diseases.

This study was done using a small group of persons all over the age of 50. However, more data is expected since the clinical trial is currently in its 7th year.

New evidence has shown that vitamin D, can do more than just build and maintain healthy bones. Evidence proved if 2000 IU of vitamin D is taken daily for 5 years, there is a 22% reduced rate of autoimmune occurrence in persons over 50 years old.

When 1000 milligrams of omega-3 is taken with vitamin D, the autoimmune occurrence rate is further decreased by 30%.

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