Vitamin D and Immunity

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Sean Wells

According to a recent study, low levels of vitamin D are related to a deficiency in our innate immune defenses—the cells that protect us from infections, neoplasias or autoimmune diseases. Part of the reason vitamin D is known as “The Sunshine Vitamin” is that it is one of the few that humans are capable of producing—in this case, through sufficient sun exposure.

It is also known, however, that vitamin D levels decrease during autumn and winter when days are shorter and sunlight is relatively weak. This may explain why people are more prone to viral infection during these times. It also suggests that increased vitamin D intake, especially in older populations, could strengthen peoples immunity against viral infections.

In an effort to confirm this, researchers in Spain performed a study which compared the changes in the blood levels of vitamin D among three groups of healthy subjects: “young” (age range 20-30 years), middle” (age range 31-59 years), and “elderly” (age range: 60-86 years). They found decreased levels of vitamin D with aging, prompting researchers to compare whether such changes kept any relationship with toll-like receptor (or TLR) expression measured on lymphocytes and monocytes.

Specifically, they found that the TRL most affected by a vitamin D insufficiency is TLR7, which regulates the immune response against viruses. Finally, scientists studied whether there was any difference in the three age groups depending on the season of the year since it is well known that a limited sun exposure during darker winter months is related with vitamin D deficiency.

“There are numerous studies showing the benefits of maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels. As more and more research into Vitamin D is conducted, we are learning that it is extremely important for human health. Our study is no different, and vitamin D supplements should be considered one of many tools that might help when conventional therapies are not enough,” said Victor Manuel Martinez-Taboada, M.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Division of Rheumatology at the Hospital Universitario “Marque’s de Valdecilla,” Facultad de Medicina at the Unversidad de Cantabria, in Santander, Spain.

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