Does Vitamin D reduce inflammation?

Introduction

Vitamin D is known for its role in bone health, but recent research has explored its potential anti-inflammatory properties. This synthesis examines whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce inflammation based on findings from various studies.

Key Insights

Inverse Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and Inflammation:
- Several studies found that low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) are inversely associated with inflammation markers in populations with low 25OHD levels and high inflammation .
Mixed Results from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs):
- Some RCTs showed no significant effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory markers in various populations, including overweight/obese adults and patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) .
- Other RCTs indicated that high-dose vitamin D supplementation reduced specific inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with cystic fibrosis and type 2 diabetes .
Impact on Specific Inflammatory Markers:
- Vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, and IL-6 in some studies, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes and those experiencing acute inflammation from sunburn .
No Significant Effect in Some Populations:
- In older adults and those with RRMS, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce systemic inflammation markers .
Potential Mechanisms:
- Vitamin D may exert its anti-inflammatory effects by modulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) activity and increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators like arginase-1 .

Conclusion

The evidence on whether vitamin D reduces inflammation is mixed. While some studies show a beneficial effect on specific inflammatory markers, others do not find significant changes. The effectiveness of vitamin D in reducing inflammation may depend on factors such as baseline vitamin D levels, the presence of chronic conditions, and the specific inflammatory markers measured. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and determine the populations that may benefit most from vitamin D supplementation.

Does Vitamin D reduce inflammation?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Ability of vitamin D to reduce inflammation in adults without acute illness.

Vitamin D levels are significantly inversely associated with inflammation markers in adults without acute illness or injury, but randomized controlled trials have not confirmed these associations.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation: protocol for a systematic review

Vitamin D supplementation's impact on inflammation remains largely unknown, with potential clinical implications for reducing inflammation and inflammatory diseases.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation and nuclear factor kappa-B activity in overweight/obese adults: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Vitamin D supplementation does not show a significant effect on inflammatory markers or NFB activity in overweight/obese adults.

Vitamin D supplementation and systemic inflammation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

High-dose oral vitamin D3 supplementation increased serum 25(OH)D levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients without affecting systemic inflammation markers, while immunomodulatory treatment showed a more anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Oral Vitamin D Rapidly Attenuates Inflammation from Sunburn: An Interventional Study.

Oral vitamin D3 rapidly reduces inflammation from sunburn, with increased skin expression of anti-inflammatory mediator arginase-1 and a sustained reduction in skin redness.

Vitamin D supplementation for improvement of chronic low‐grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Vitamin D supplementation may reduce chronic low-grade inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Impact of vitamin D supplementation on markers of inflammation in adults with cystic fibrosis hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation

A large bolus dose of vitamin D is associated with reductions in inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF- in adults with cystic fibrosis hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation.

Effects of One Year of Vitamin D and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Biomarkers of Systemic Inflammation in Older US Adults.

Vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation over a year did not significantly decrease biomarkers of inflammation in older adults.

Improvement of vitamin D status via daily intake of fortified yogurt drink either with or without extra calcium ameliorates systemic inflammatory biomarkers, including adipokines, in the subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Daily intake of vitamin D-fortified doogh improves inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes patients, with extra calcium providing additional benefits for the antiinflammatory adipokine adiponectin.

Cholecalciferol decreases inflammation and improves vitamin D regulatory enzymes in lymphocytes in the uremic environment: A randomized controlled pilot trial

Cholecalciferol supplementation reduces inflammation and improves vitamin D regulatory enzymes in lymphocytes from dialysis patients.

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