Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s healing process.
But when it persists, it can contribute to a wide range of complex diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.
A recent study from the University of South Australia found a direct link between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of inflammation.
This provides an important biomarker to identify people at higher risk of or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component.
In the study, the team examined the genetic data of 294 ,970 participants in the UK Biobank, using Mendelian randomization to show the association between vitamin D and C-reactive protein levels, an indicator of inflammation.
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.
The team found a one-way relationship between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein, expressed as inflammation.
The findings suggest that boosting vitamin D in people with a deficiency may reduce chronic inflammation.
The team says boosting vitamin D in people with deficiencies may reduce chronic inflammation, helping them avoid a number of related diseases.
The study also raises the possibility that having adequate vitamin D concentrations may mitigate complications arising from obesity and reduce the risk or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component, such as CVDs, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
The team says these results are important and provide an explanation for some of the controversies in reported associations with vitamin D.
The study was conducted by Dr. Ang Zhou et al and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
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