Scleroderma Symptoms Causes

Vitamin D Deficiency, Sunshine, and Scleroderma

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.

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

Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D and its potential role in the prevention and treatment of thyroid autoimmunity: a narrative review. The aim of the present paper was to review the potential implications of vitamin D in immune modulation, with special focus on thyroid autoimmune disorders. PubMed, J Endocrinol Invest, 2020 Apr;43(4):413-429. (Also see Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)

Association between vitamin D and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): a cross-sectional study. This cross-sectional study found no evidence of association between vitamin D and fatigue in patients with RA. PubMed, BMJ Open, 2020 Feb 6;10(2):e034935. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Effects of Vitamin D on disease activity and serum interleukin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study suggests that vitamin D is not associated with disease activity or serum IL-6 levels but it may have a role in functional disability in RA patients. PubMed, Int J Rheum Dis, 02/06/2019. (Also see Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Vitamin D in Vascular Calcification (VC): A Double-Edged Sword? This review addresses the current understanding of VC pathophysiology, with a focus on the pathogenic role of vitamin D that has provided new insights into the mechanisms of VC. PubMed, Nutrients. 2018 May 22;10(5). (Also see Vascular Involvement)

Associations between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and susceptibility to Behçet's disease: A meta–analysis. This meta–analysis demonstrated the association between FokI and ApaI polymorphisms in VDR gene with the risk of BD. PubMed, Immunol Invest, 2018 Feb 1:1-14. (Also see Behçet's Disease)

Covid-19 and Vitamin D

There's Only Weak Evidence For Vitamin-D As a COVID-19 Preventative — But Scientists Are Trying to Learn More. Experts say we need more rigorous scientific studies to test vitamin-D's potential to help prevent COVID-19 as well as its effect on patients who already have it. Time Healthland, 09/17/2020.

Deficiencies of Vitamin D

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Disease Activity, Disability, and Radiographic Progression in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: The ESPOIR Cohort. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with more active and severe disease at baseline and may predict disability and radiographic progression over 1 year in early RA patients. PubMed, J Rheumatol, 2020 Nov 1;47(11):1624-1628. (Also see Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Do I Get Enough Vitamin D in the Winter? Most people can make enough vitamin D from sun exposure during the summer, but for many, synthesis can be inadequate in the winter. New York Times, 02/16/2018.

Association between serum vitamin D levels and neuropathic pain (NP) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: A cross–sectional study. Although further research is needed to clarify the association between serum vitamin D levels and NP, our study raises awareness of the need to screen for vitamin D deficiency in RA patients with NP. PubMed, Int J Rheum Dis, 2018 Feb;21(2):431-439. (Also see Symptoms and Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Scleroderma and Vitamin D Deficiencies

Network pharmacology strategy for predicting the correlation of Systemic Scleroderma (SSc) with Vitamin D (VD) deficiency. The analysis predicted that the deficiency of VD might affect the pathological of SSc through the mediation of these integrins. PubMed, Int Immunopharmacol, 2020 Sep;86:106702.

Sunshine Exposure and Protection

Sunlight and Your Health When you think of the sun, your first thought might be about the damage it can do. Web MD, 02/08/2020.

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.

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: Helpful, Harmful, or Neutral for Cardiovascular Risk?. In this review, we discuss vitamin D and calcium supplementation and how they may affect cardiovascular health. PubMed, Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J, Jul-Sep 2019;15(3):207-213. (Also see Treatments for Heart Involvement) and Supplement Guide)

New research shows vitamin D could lower risk of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society found having higher vitamin D levels than are currently recommended reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 22 percent. NBC News, 06/14/2018. (Also see Cancer)

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