Vitamin D: immune function, inflammation, infections and auto-immunity.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in immune system regulation and its potential protective effects against infections and auto-immune disorders.
Results Summary
The study found an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and the risk of infections and auto-immune conditions, with supplementation showing modest benefits for acute respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in deficient individuals. Meta-analyses of RCTs had mixed results, with stronger evidence from observational studies.
Population
General population, with specific focus on individuals with vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency, children, and those with auto-immune conditions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D status | decrease | incidence of several infectious and auto-immune conditions | - | - | inversely associated with | #1 |
low vitamin D status | increase | acute respiratory infections, COVID-19 disorders, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus and other auto-immune disorders | - | - | link to risk of | #2 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | several infectious and auto-immune conditions | - | - | may protect against | #3 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | acute respiratory infections | those with vitamin D deficiency and children | small | demonstrating a small protective role against | #4 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | T1DM and IBD | - | modest | providing modest benefits for the management of | #5 |
vitamin D supplementation | neutral | vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency | those | - | recommended for | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | acute respiratory infections and certain auto-immune conditions | - | additional | might provide additional benefit in | #7 |
Vitamin D plays an active role beyond mineral metabolism and skeletal health, including regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent, and observational studies link low vitamin D status to a risk of infections and auto-immune disorders. Reports indicate an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and such conditions. This review details vitamin D signalling interactions with the immune system and provides experimental and clinical evidence evaluating vitamin D status, vitamin D supplementation and host susceptibility to infections, inflammation and auto-immunity. The published literature including related reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies and basic science reports have been synthesised. Meta-analyses of observational studies have demonstrated a link between low vitamin D status and risk of acute respiratory infections, COVID-19 disorders, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus and other auto-immune disorders. Observational studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may protect against several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Meta-analyses of RCTs had mixed results, demonstrating a small protective role for vitamin D supplementation against acute respiratory infections, especially in those with vitamin D deficiency and children, and providing modest benefits for the management of T1DM and IBD. Vitamin D status is inversely associated with the incidence of several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Supplementation is recommended for those with vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency, and it might provide additional benefit in acute respiratory infections and certain auto-immune conditions.