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Low levels of vitamin D may increase allergies risk

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Parents of children who suffer from allergies may want to consider seeking vitamin D testing for their offspring. A new study has found that low levels of the nutrient may increase the risk of both environmental and food allergies in children.

In recent decades the number of young people who suffer from allergies has increased dramatically. During this time, cases of vitamin D deficiency have also shot up. The findings suggest that this may be no coincidence.

For the study, researchers from Yeshiva University analyzed the results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which gathers data from across the country on a wide range of topics. When the researchers looked at information relating to vitamin D and allergies, they found a strong correlation.

Children who had a diagnosable vitamin D deficiency were significantly more likely to test positive for a range of allergies, including ragweed, dog, cockroach, oak and peanuts. The last item had a particularly strong correlation, as children with low levels of the nutrient were nearly 2.5 times more likely to have peanut allergies.

The researchers said that following dietary recommendations for minimum vitamin D intake may help children avoid these problems.