Research unveils vitamin D deficiency may cause inflammation resulting in chronic illness

08 Aug 2022 --- Increasing vitamin D levels in deficient patients could lower chronic inflammation as there is a direct link between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of inflammation, according to research from the University of South Australia.

The study findings directly link low levels of vitamin D and high levels of inflammation. This correlation identifies a crucial biomarker to distinguish individuals at increased risk of or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component.

An essential aspect of the body’s healing process is inflammation. However, if it persists, it may contribute to complex diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune disorders.

“Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting your tissues if one has been injured or has an infection. Boosting vitamin D in people with deficiencies may reduce chronic inflammation, helping them avoid several related diseases,” says Dr. Ang Zhou, lead researcher at the University of South Australia.

“These findings highlight the importance of avoiding clinical vitamin D deficiency and provide further evidence for the wide-ranging effects of hormonal vitamin D,” says Elina Hyppönen, senior investigator and director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia.

Vitamin D consumption and inflammation
The study also suggests that having enough vitamin D concentrations may lessen the risk or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and autoimmune disorders, as well as obesity-related complications.

The researchers suggest that boosting vitamin D in people with a deficiency may reduce chronic inflammation.The connection between vitamin D and C-reactive protein levels – a marker of inflammation – was investigated using the genetic information of 294 970 persons in the UK Biobank.

“High levels of C-reactive protein are generated by the liver in response to inflammation, so when your body is experiencing chronic inflammation, it also shows higher levels of C-reactive protein,” adds Zhou.

“This study examined vitamin D and C-reactive proteins and found a one-way relationship between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein, expressed as inflammation.

“We have repeatedly seen evidence for health benefits for increasing vitamin D concentrations in individuals with deficient levels, while for others, there appears to be little to no benefit,” says Hyppönen.

The researchers conclude that reducing low-grade systemic inflammation and lowering the likelihood or severity of chronic disorders with an inflammatory component could be accomplished by boosting vitamin D status in the deficient range.

Vitamin deficiency: a health problem
NutritionInsight previously reported that vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of developing cardiovascular illnesses. Additionally, deficiency in this nutrient can cause children to develop metabolic syndrome.

Symptoms of metabolic syndrome include increased blood pressure, excessive blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels.

In other research, a Kappa Bioscience study found that combining vitamin D and vitamin K2 reduces inflammation. Meanwhile, a German Cancer Research Center study unveiled vitamin D supplementation could prevent 30,000 cancer deaths each year.

Edited by Nicole Kerr