Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system is tricked into thinking that self is foreign and starts attacking itself. As a result, the immune system makes antibodies that attack various tissues in the body.

Vitamin D helps autoimmune disorders by regulating T cells in the immune system (less Th1 and more Th2). This makes the body more tolerant of itself and less likely to mount autoimmune responses.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have lower vitamin D levels and low vitamin D levels correlate with disease severity. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disorder. RA patients have lower vitamin D levels and low levels are correlated with disease severity. Multiple sclerosis is a common autoimmune disorder of middle age adults in which antibodies attack the sheaths of nerves. Patients with MS have low vitamin D levels, and the lower the level, the worse the disease. Autoimmune thyroid disease, like that which causes 90% of all thyroid disease, is a condition in which antibodies attack the thyroid and such patients have low vitamin D levels and low levels correlate with disease severity. Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to dietary gluten and disease severity is associated with lower levels of vitamin D. Insulin dependent diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, is correlated with low vitamin D levels. Increased disease severity is associated with lowest vitamin D levels. Crohn’s disease in an inflammatory disorder of the bowel, and severity is linked to the lowest vitamin D levels.

There is plenty of evidence regarding the benefit of vitamin D supplementation on a multitude of health benefits not just with autoimmune disorders. Given the fact that supplementation of vitamin D in its natural form is harmless and inexpensive, many more people should get their vitamin D levels checked regularly and supplement according.

As you can see Vitamin D plays a large role and importance in the management of autoimmune disorders. In addition, it is also very important to look at testing for nutrient deficiences, food sensitivities, fatty acids, heavy metals, and stool testing (80% of your immune system is in your gastrointestional tract) for the successful management for anyone with an autoimmune condition. If you would like more information or a consultation, contact Dr. Jurgelewicz through our website at www.thefunctionalmedicinecenter.com.

References

Agmon-Levin N, Theodor E, Segal RM, Shoenfeld Y. Vitamin D in Systemic and Organ-Specific Autoimmune Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2012 Dec 14.

Vitamin D Council Newsletter March 2, 2013 by John Cannell, MD

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