Vitamin D and Autoimmune Disease

DO YOU TAKE VITAMIN D? A new study suggests that taking daily vitamin D and fish oil supplements may reduce the probability of developing autoimmune disorders.

Autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatic (the last disease causes muscle discomfort and stiffness in the hips and shoulders).

Today, we explore recently released study results associating vitamin supplementation with a lower chance of getting an autoimmune condition.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are an inflammatory immune response to one’s tissues. These conditions are the third leading cause of morbidity in the industrialized world and are a leading cause of death among women.

Let’s look at two more common autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis affects over three percent of the population in the United States, striking more than 7.5 million adults. This immune-mediated disease has no apparent cause.

One may see visible manifestations of the inflammation associated with psoriasis. For example, there can be raised plaques and scales on the skin. The overactive immune system increases skin cell growth.

Our skin cells grow entirely and shed in a month for most of us. Imagine that process happening in three or four days. With psoriasis, the skin cells don’t shed; instead, they pile up on the skin surface.

The resultant plaques may itch or burn. While plaques can occur anywhere on the body, the elbows, knees, and scalp are the most common sites. Moreover, psoriasis-associated inflammation can affect other tissues and organs, including the joints.

Psoriasis symptoms typically start between ages 15 and 25 but can begin at any age.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis mainly hits the joints, including the hands, wrists, and knees. The joint lining becomes inflamed, resulting in joint tissue damage and chronic pain. Some have unsteadiness or deformities (misshapen joints).

Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis can attack other tissues, including the heart, lungs, and eyes. When individuals have symptoms worsening or flares, there can be pain, swelling, or stiffness in more than one joint. Others have weight loss, tiredness, weaknesses, or fever.

Women who breastfed their infants have a decreased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The risk is cut in half among women who breastfeed for two years or more, according to a 2004 study from Harvard.

Autoimmune disease, vitamin D, and more

To see whether vitamin D and long-chain omega 3 fatty acids reduce autoimmune disease risk, researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial with over 25,000 participants. Half of the participants took 2000 IU of vitamin D each day, with the other half receiving a placebo.

The subjects self-reported autoimmune diseases from baseline to a median of 5.3 years of follow-up. The researchers confirmed this reporting with extensive medical record reviews.

Here are the results:

• Vitamin D supplementation for five years (with or without omega 3 fatty acids) reduced autoimmune disease risk by over one-fifth (22 percent).
• Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation (with or without vitamin D) reduced the autoimmune disease rate by a statistically non-significant one-seventh (15 percent).

My take — Vitamin D and autoimmune disease

There are some study limitations. The subjects were older, yet many of the autoimmune diseases in the general population are among younger adults. In addition, the study looked at only one dose and formulation of each supplement. Few of the study participants developed an autoimmune disease.

In addition, it can be challenging to confirm a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease. Finally, it will be helpful when the researchers release longer follow-up data. Still, the study is extensive and well-done.

I am delighted that vitamin D supplementation for five years reduced autoimmune disease risk (compared with no supplementation). I think it is safe to take 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, but if you are thinking of taking more, please chat with a valued healthcare professional.

I recently wrote this piece that was not so uplifting (so it is nice to have the new vitamin D data):

Vitamin D, Your Heart, and Cancer“It is likely that vitamin D supplementation does not provide major health benefits, especially in populations where…medium.com

Thank you for joining me today for this more positive news about vitamin D.

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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.