New Delhi: Scientists have discovered a direct link between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of inflammation, providing an important biomarker to identify people at high risk or severity of chronic diseases with an inflammatory component.
The findings of the research were published in the journal ‘International Journal of Epidemiology’.
Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s healing process. But when it persists, it can contribute to a number of complex diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune diseases.
The study examined genetic data from 294,970 participants in the UK Biobank, using Mendelian randomization to show an association between vitamin D and C-reactive protein levels, an indicator of inflammation.
lead researcher, UnisaK Dr Angu zhousaid the findings suggest that increasing vitamin D in people with a deficiency may reduce chronic inflammation.
“If you are injured or get an infection, inflammation is your body’s way of protecting tissues,” Zhou said.
“High levels of C-reactive protein are produced by the liver in response to inflammation, so when your body is experiencing chronic inflammation, it also shows high levels of C-reactive protein.
“This study examined vitamin D and C-reactive protein and found a unilateral association between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein, expressed as inflammation.
“Increasing vitamin D in people with deficiencies may reduce chronic inflammation, helping them avoid many related diseases.”
This study, supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, also raises the possibility that having adequate vitamin D concentrations may reduce complications arising from obesity and chronic diseases with an inflammatory component. The risk or severity of cancer can be reduced, such as CVD, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.
Professor, Senior Investigator and Director, UNISA’s Australian Center for Precision Health Alina Hypnonesaid that these results are important and provide an explanation for some of the controversy in the alleged relationship with vitamin D.
“We have repeatedly seen evidence of health benefits for increasing vitamin D concentrations in individuals with very low levels, whereas for others, there appears to be no benefit.” pro hyponon Told.
“These findings highlight the importance of avoiding clinical vitamin D deficiency, and provide further evidence for the broader effects of hormonal vitamin D.”