New genetic research shows a direct link between low vitamin D levels and high levels of inflammation, providing an important biomarker to identify people at higher risk of or severity of chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component, such as type 2 diabetes. The findings, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, also helps to settle some of the controversies surrounding the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
The study drew on genetic data for 294 970 participants in the UK Biobank, using Mendelian randomisation to show the association between vitamin D and C-reactive protein levels, an indicator of inflammation.
University of South Australia’s Dr Ang Zhou, the study’s lead researcher, said that the findings suggest that boosting vitamin D in people with a deficiency may reduce chronic inflammation.
“This study examined vitamin D and C-reactive proteins and found a one-way relationship between low levels of vitamin D and high levels of C-reactive protein, expressed as inflammation.
“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.
Senior investigator and Director of UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen, said that these results offer an explanation for some of the controversies in reported associations with vitamin D.
“We have repeatedly seen evidence for health benefits for increasing vitamin D concentrations in individuals with very low levels, while for others, there appears to be little to no benefit.” Prof Hyppönen said.
“These findings highlight the importance of avoiding clinical vitamin D deficiency, and provide further evidence for the wide-ranging effects of hormonal vitamin D.”
Source: University of South Australia
