Inflammation is the body’s natural way of healing itself when there’s an injury or infection. It helps protect us and repair damage.
But when inflammation lasts too long, it can become harmful instead of helpful. This long-term, or chronic, inflammation can lead to serious diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and autoimmune conditions.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have discovered a clear link between low levels of vitamin D and higher levels of inflammation.
In this study, scientists used health data from nearly 295,000 people in the UK Biobank. They applied a special research method called Mendelian randomization, which helps them understand cause-and-effect relationships by using people’s genetic information.
They focused on a substance in the blood called C-reactive protein, or CRP. This protein is made by the liver when the body is trying to fight an infection or heal an injury. High CRP levels are a sign of inflammation.
Dr. Ang Zhou, who led the study, explained that they found a clear connection: people with low vitamin D levels had higher CRP levels. This means they had more inflammation in their bodies. The study suggests that raising vitamin D levels in people who don’t have enough could help reduce this harmful inflammation.
This is important because inflammation often goes unnoticed but plays a big role in many health problems. It’s like a slow-burning fire inside the body that causes damage over time.
Vitamin D is especially important for people who are overweight or obese. Obesity is often linked to ongoing inflammation. Making sure these individuals get enough vitamin D might help lower their inflammation and improve their overall health.
But the study also found that boosting vitamin D doesn’t help everyone in the same way. Professor Elina Hyppönen, who worked on the study, said that people with very low levels of vitamin D are the ones who benefit the most.
Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies can make it when we’re out in the sun. You can also get it from foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and milk products that have been fortified with vitamin D.
Some people may need to take supplements, especially if they live in areas with little sunlight or have diets that don’t include enough vitamin D.
This research was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
If you’re worried about low vitamin D or inflammation, a simple blood test can check your levels. Talk to your doctor about whether you might need more vitamin D. Making small changes—like spending more time in the sun, eating vitamin-rich foods, or taking supplements—could help protect you from long-term health issues.
By taking care of your vitamin D levels, you may be helping your body fight off harmful inflammation and reducing your risk for many chronic diseases.
If you care about inflammation, please read studies about turmeric: nature’s golden answer to inflammation, and what to eat to reduce chronic Inflammation.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how a plant-based diet could help ease inflammation ,and Vitamin D deficiency linked to increased inflammation.
