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Vitamin D Deficiency, Sunshine, and Scleroderma |
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Overview |
| Vitamin D's major biological function is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Recent studies have demonstrated that individuals with low blood levels of vitamin D are at a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases. |
| Vitamin D and autoimmunity. A review of the experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies illustrating the potential role of vitamin D in the development and perpetuation of autoimmune diseases. PubMed, Rev Med Interne, 2012 Feb;33(2):87-93. |
| Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D. Information about the popular supplement from Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health. (Also see: Supplements) |
Autoimmune Diseases and Vitamin D |
| Vitamin D status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: relation to clinical manifestations, disease activity, quality of life (QoL) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Special attention is required regarding vitamin D levels in RA patients with FMS and decreased QoL. Vitamin D should be corrected and supplementation considered among the RA management armamentarium. PubMed, Int J Rheum Dis, 2014 Oct 7. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments, Fibromyalgia and Vitamin D Deficiency) |
| Low vitamin D level is not associated with increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vitamin D levels were not associated with the development of RA in this patient population with matched controls. PubMed, Rheumatol Int, 2014 Apr 19. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis) |
| Vitamin D supplementation, moderate sun exposure, and control of immune diseases. There is considerable debate about the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for multiple sclerosis, allergic asthma, and type 1 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation to treat these (and other) diseases have been disappointing. Discov Med, 2012 Jun;13(73):397-404. |
Deficiencies of Vitamin D |
| Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements May Not Prevent Fractures. For most people, the evidence doesn't support any bone benefit of the popular supplements. Time Healthland 02/26/2013. (Also see: Scleroderma Supplement Guide: Calcium) |
| Vitamin D Supplementation: What's Known, What to Do, and What's Needed. In patients with documented vitamin D deficiency, a cumulative dose of at least 600,000 IU administered over several weeks appears to be necessary to replenish vitamin D stores. Single large doses of 300,000-500,000 IU should be avoided. Pharmacotherapy, 2012 Apr;32(4):354-82. |
Scleroderma and Vitamine D Deficiencies |
| Serum 25-OH Vitamin D Concentrations Are Linked With Various Clinical Aspects In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Patients with SSc have significantly lower serum vitamin D concentrations compared to healthy controls; moreover fibrosis of the cutaneous tissue is inversely related to the vitamin D concentration. H. Amital. EULAR 2011 FRI0412. Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70(Suppl3):482. |
Sunshine Exposure and Protection |
| Sunbathers take heed: skin damage continues hours after exposure. Here's a warning to sunbathers everywhere. Scientists have found that the skin damage caused by UV rays does not stop once you get out of the sun. Reuters, 02/19/2015. |
| Safe Sun Protection. For people with specific autoimmune disorders, protection from the sun should be a serious perennial consideration. Conditions such as Lupus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma and vitaligo are autoimmune diseases that are sun-sensitive. Arthritis Today. |
| How Vitamin D May Fight Colon Cancer. Higher levels of vitamin D have been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer in many observational studies. New York Times, 01/15/2015. |
| Scientists claim artificial sunshine may be key to treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The study shows that UV-B light, which mimics sunshine, can have a striking effect on the immune system of patients. Scotland News. 07/17/12. (Also see: Multiple Sclerosis) |
Supplementation of Vitamin D |
| Before taking supplements of any kind, consult with your physicians. Both too little -- and too much -- Vitamin D can harm the heart. |
| Study: Vitamin D Supplements Don’t Protect Against Fractures. Keeping bones strong may take more than popping a few pills, according to the latest research. Times Healtland, 10/10/2013. (Also see: Scleroderma Supplement Guide) |