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Vitamin D may regulate allergic responses

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Individuals who regularly have strong allergic reactions to things like mold may want to consider seeking a vitamin D tests, as a new study from researchers at Louisiana State University found that the nutrient can reduce the symptoms of mold allergies that are known to complicate asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Allergies are the result of an overactive immune system. White blood cells of individuals who have the condition respond aggressively to normally harmless environmental substances, causing inflammation.

Scientists found that vitamin D regulates a protein in the body that is responsible for allergic reactions of the immune system. The nutrient showed a particularly strong ability to mitigate the allergic response to certain types of mold, to which individuals with asthma and cystic fibrosis often react strongly.

"Our study provides further evidence that vitamin D appears to be broadly associated with human health," said Jay Kolls, who led the investigation. "The next step in our research is to conduct a clinical trial to see if vitamin D can be used to treat or prevent this complication of asthma and cystic fibrosis."