Vitamin D and The Immune System

Vitamin D is crucial for the proper functioning of your immune system in addition to its role in bone health. It is so important, in fact, that being deficient in it may increase your susceptibility to overall infection and autoimmune diseases, especially for people who are more genetically susceptible[1]. Read on to get answers to some of the 3 top commonly asked questions right now: 

Does Vitamin D Help Prevent Covid-19 (or the novel coronavirus)?

Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that draws a connection between taking Vitamin D supplements and having a lower risk of contracting COVID-19. The best preventative measure you can take to protect yourself is to physically distance yourself from others and use proper hygiene practices.

vitamin d and the immune system

How Does Vitamin D Boost The Immune System?

Vitamin D it is found to enhance the parts of your immune system that fight off invaders. It improves your body’s response by enhancing things like macrophages, T-Cells and B-Cells. These are the cells that help your body fight infections[2].

What Diseases Has Vitamin D Deficiency Been Linked To?

Some of the diseases linked to low vitamin D levels include asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing. Some other autoimmune conditions include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease [3][4][5][6].

Bottom Line

Vitamin D is important in fighting off infections and preventing other diseases. While there is no evidence vitamin D prevents Covid-19, it still plays an important role for your overall health and well-being.

Written By The Health Aisle

References:

  1. Vanherwegen ASGysemans CMathieu C. (2017). Regulation of Immune Function by Vitamin D and Its Use in Diseases of Immunity. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 46(4):1061-1094. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2017.07.010
  2.  Gil A, Plaza-Diaz J, Mesa M, D. (2018). Vitamin D: Classic and Novel Actions. Ann Nutr Metab. 72:87-95. doi: 10.1159/000486536
  3.  Bivona, G., Agnello, L., & Ciaccio, M. (2018). The immunological implication of the new vitamin D metabolism. Central-European journal of immunology43(3), 331–334. https://doi.org/10.5114/ceji.2018.80053
  4.  Bener, A., Ehlayel, M. S., Bener, H. Z., & Hamid, Q. (2014). The impact of Vitamin D deficiency on asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing in children: An emerging public health problem. Journal of family & community medicine21(3), 154–161. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.142967
  5. Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. (2018). Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis Recommendations. Retrieved from https://mssociety.ca/library/document/Vka6RXcnOizNm9sIwuWvroxejlhLqTJ8/original.pdf
  6. Yap KSMorand EF. (2015). Vitamin D and systemic lupus erythematosus: continued evolution. Int J Rheum Dis. 18(2):242-9. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12489.
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