Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available in supplement form. The body also produces it when ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun hit the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Health experts consider it to be the “jack of all trades” of essential vitamins. Why is that? Well, it plays several integral roles in the body, from supporting gut microbiome to enhancing the appearance of the skin.
Even though vitamin D is famous for a number of health benefits, some are not as widely talked about. One such benefit is its ability to support a healthy inflammatory response. While scientific evidence suggests that vitamin D plays roles in modulating inflammatory pathways, the exact relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory response requires more research. Researchers have a long way to go to fully understand this relationship, but new research is very exciting. The reason that researchers believe this is because of an observed inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and C-reactive protein (CRP).
What Is C-Reactive Protein?
CRP is one of the most widely used inflammatory biomarkers in the blood. Researchers can measure CRP levels to help gain a better understanding of the inflammatory process in the body. CRP, especially high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), is very useful in gauging general inflammatory status in the joints, heart, brain, and entire body.
The reality is that inflammatory pathways and responses are normal physiological occurrences. They occur naturally within the human body and have a healthy balance. Healthy levels of CRP, which is a protein that the liver produces, tend to be associated with balanced inflammatory response. Additionally, healthy CRP levels tend to indicate healthier immune function. Keeping inflammatory pathways in check is an essential component to overall health. Because 25(OH)D levels (the blood marker that researchers use to identify vitamin D sufficiency) influence CRP status, research is ongoing to see vitamin D’s role in regulating inflammatory response in the body. This would help researchers gain insight to how vitamin D supports neurological, gastrointestinal, and immune health.
The Design Of The Study
Researchers analyzed 294,970 unrelated adults of white-British ancestry. All participants in the UK Biobank study were between the ages of 37 and 73. Researchers recorded 25(OH)D and CRP concentrations and they also considered genetic pathways during the study.
How Does Vitamin D Status Influence Inflammatory Response?
The results of the study revealed two primary takeaways, the first being that higher genetically predicted vitamin D serum levels were linked to lower CRP concentrations. The second takeaway was that the effect of vitamin D status on CRP is restricted to the vitamin D deficiency range. What that means is that the body’s CRP status, which indicates whether or not an inflammatory response works effectively or excessively, doesn’t influence vitamin D levels. The real truth is that people with lower vitamin D levels tend to have higher levels of CRP biomarker and a subpar inflammatory response.
The researchers behind the study believe that this is because of vitamin D’s effect on vitamin D receptor-expressing immune cells. These cells include T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes, in addition to other cells. Experiments in cell models found vitamin D in its activated form can inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Now, take into account that 29% of the U.S. adult population is vitamin D deficient. This vitamin holds influence over the body’s inflammatory response, so it would behoove Americans to increase vitamin D levels in the body.
The Takeaway
By reaching and maintaining healthy vitamin D status, which is not easily achieved, you may positively affect the body’s inflammatory response. That said, it isn’t entirely clear how sufficient vitamin D levels can support a number of bodily functions, including inflammatory response. The reality is that you cannot achieve or sustain optimal vitamin D levels through sunshine and diet alone. For this reason, you may require a vitamin D supplement, but please do your research and consult with your healthcare professional to discuss proper dosage.
