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Study: Vitamin D deficiency may impact immune system

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Women who do not get enough vitamin D either from direct exposure to the sun, from nutritional supplements and certain foods may be at an increased risk of negatively impacting their immune system, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Missouri have found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation in health women.

Through the study, it was discovered that women with a low level of the often-called sunshine vitamin possessed an inflammatory marker, suggesting there was a relationship between vitamin D levels and concentrations of the marker.

Catherin Peterson, assistant professor in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences, said the study offered clues as to why the vitamin may be important to prevent such conditions as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and gave further evidence why people should be aware of their vitamin D levels.

"To improve vitamin D status and achieve its related health benefits, most people should get at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day," said Catherine Peterson, assistant professor in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences. "Sunlight is a readily available, free source of vitamin D."

Some people have gotten a vitamin D lab test to see if they were deficient.