Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s healing process, helping to fight infections and repair injuries. However, when it becomes long-term, it can contribute to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions.
A study from the University of South Australia has found a direct link between low vitamin D levels and increased inflammation. This discovery could help identify people at higher risk of chronic diseases caused by inflammation.
The researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 295,000 participants in the UK Biobank, using a method called Mendelian randomization. This allowed them to examine the relationship between vitamin D levels and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.
The liver produces CRP in response to inflammation, so higher CRP levels indicate ongoing inflammation in the body.
The study revealed a clear pattern: people with low vitamin D levels had higher CRP levels, meaning they were experiencing more inflammation. The researchers found that this was a one-way relationship—low vitamin D levels led to higher inflammation, but not the other way around.
These findings suggest that increasing vitamin D levels in people who are deficient may help lower inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of diseases linked to chronic inflammation.
The results also hint that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could help manage complications related to obesity and lower the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
The researchers believe their study helps clarify past conflicting reports about the health effects of vitamin D. While more research is needed, these findings highlight the importance of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and preventing related diseases.
The study was led by Dr. Ang Zhou and published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
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