J Investig Med. 2011 August; 59(6): 881–886. doi: 10.231/JIM.0b013e31821b8755
PMCID: PMC3166406
Cynthia Aranow, MD, Investigator
It is now clear that vitamin D has important roles in addition to its classic effects on calcium and bone homeostasis. As the vitamin D receptor is expressed on immune cells (B cells, T cells and antigen presenting cells) and these immunologic cells are all are capable of synthesizing the active vitamin D metabolite, vitamin D has the capability of acting in an autocrine manner in a local immunologic milieu. Vitamin D can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection. As immune cells in autoimmune diseases are responsive to the ameliorative effects of vitamin D, the beneficial effects of supplementing vitamin D deficient individuals with autoimmune disease may extend beyond the effects on bone and calcium homeostasis.
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Immunity Intervention trials using Vitamin D:
- Viral infections reduced 40% by monthly 100,000 IU Vitamin D – RCT review Aug 2024
- Immune systems not improved with 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily (not a surprise) – Nov 2022
- Immune systems of overweight black women improved by monthly 60,000 IU Vitamin D – RCT Oct 2022
- 2.4 X fewer lower respiratory track infections in infants getting 400 IU of Vitamin D – May 2022
- Immune systems helped by 50,000 IU of vitamin D (weekly for 3 months) – May 2021
- Sublingual Vitamin D sometimes is better than tablet – April 2020
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants reduced 5.9 X by daily 600 IU of vitamin D (China) - March 2020
- Preemie immunity (Treg) vastly improved by 800 IU of Vitamin D daily – RCT July 2019
- Treatment of neonate sepsis greatly aided by Vitamin D – RCT June 2019
- Many Infectious diseases (virus) treated and prevented by Vitamin D – review July 2009
- Respiratory infections (RTI) cut in half by 20,000 IU weekly vitamin D if initially deficient – RCT March 2015
- T-cells increased with monthly doses of 140,000 IU vitamin D – April 2014
- Malaria in mice brains, and associated inflammation, prevented by Vitamin D intervention – July 2014
- Antibiotic use cut in half by elderly (over 70) after monthly 60,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Dec 2013
- Middle ear infection (Otitis Media) and Vitamin D – many studies
- Viral infection reduced 90 percent with 2000 IU of vitamin D – Dec 2010
- Yet again - more than 10000 IU of vitamin D treats MS – July 2011
The TOP articles in Immunity and Vitamin D are listed here:
- Innate immune suppression by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations - April 2022
- Immune system - great 11-minute animated video - Aug 2021
- Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease - Holick July 2020
- When over 50, poor health is associated with poor vitamin D– review Oct 2019
- Vitamin D reduced bacterial infection in cows – RCT Sept 2013
- Vitamin D protects against many types of health problems – review May 2013
- Middle ear infection (Otitis Media) and Vitamin D – many studies
- Colds not decreased if people already vitamin D sufficient – RCT Oct 2012
- Vitamin D probably can prevent and treat TB and infectious diseases – 2012