Scientists from the University of South Australia have discovered that low levels of vitamin D are directly connected to higher levels of inflammation in the body. This is an important finding because inflammation plays a big role in many serious health conditions.
Inflammation is a natural response that helps the body fight infections and heal injuries. But when inflammation lasts too long, it becomes harmful. This kind of long-lasting inflammation—called chronic inflammation—can lead to serious diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune conditions.
The new study shows that not having enough vitamin D may make chronic inflammation worse. Researchers studied health data from nearly 295,000 people using a large database in the UK called the UK Biobank.
To get clear results, they used a method called Mendelian randomization. This approach helps researchers focus on how genes affect health, without the confusion caused by people’s daily habits or environment.
In this case, the scientists used the method to study how vitamin D levels affect a protein called C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is made by the liver when there is inflammation in the body. Doctors often test CRP levels to check for signs of inflammation. High CRP levels suggest that the body is inflamed.
The study found that people with lower vitamin D levels had higher levels of CRP. This means there is a one-way connection—low vitamin D leads to more inflammation. This is not just a coincidence. The results show a direct link between having too little vitamin D and having more inflammation in the body.
This finding helps doctors better understand who may be at risk for diseases related to inflammation. Since diseases like heart disease and diabetes are linked to inflammation, keeping vitamin D levels in a healthy range might help lower the risk of these problems.
People who are overweight or obese may benefit even more from having enough vitamin D. Obesity is often linked to inflammation, so improving vitamin D levels might help reduce that extra inflammation and improve overall health.
There has been a lot of debate over the years about the role of vitamin D in health. Some research found it helpful, while other studies did not. But this new research clears up some of the confusion by providing strong evidence that vitamin D helps reduce inflammation.
Dr. Ang Zhou, the lead researcher, says this discovery is an important step in learning how to prevent and manage chronic diseases. If doctors can identify people with low vitamin D and high CRP levels, they might recommend vitamin D supplements or diet changes to help reduce inflammation before serious problems develop.
The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. It highlights that vitamin D is not just important for bone health, but also for controlling inflammation in the body. This discovery could help shape new strategies for preventing and treating many long-term health conditions.
