Vitamin D - Building Immunity and Fighting Asthma
*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the W.T. Rawleigh. Assumptions made within the article are not reflective of the position of W.T. Rawleigh.
In the US, about 25 million people live with Asthma presently, and in 2015 it claimed the lives of about 3,615 people. According to the survey conducted by Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, many of the deaths caused by Asthma every year can be prevented. About 3.5 million people suffering from asthma do not receive basic care. However, it is vital to remember that along with the care provided by the hospitals and government facilities, individual care is imperative. Dr. Nancy Lange from Brigham & Women's Hospital published studies that have recognized the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the development of immune-related disorders and increased risk of lung cancer. One of the study conducted by Dr. Nancy Lange et. al., elucidates the relationship between vitamin D and prevention and treatment of asthma because it appears to be an essential immune system regulator. A more recent study emphasized the role of vitamin D in preventing asthma, suggesting how prevention of vitamin D deficiency during childhood is conducive to preventing asthma and further helping with immunity. Another study found that taking vitamin D supplements in addition to the basic asthma treatment reduced the risk of severe asthma attacks significantly. In addition to building immunity, higher level of vitamin D is also associated with fewer respiratory infections and influenza. It is crucial to note that building immunity is not an overnight task; a steady approach towards changing diet and taking supplements can build the foundation for strengthening a weak immune system. References – http://www.aafa.org/page/asthma-facts.aspx Lange, Nancy E et al. “Vitamin D, the Immune System and Asthma.” Expert review of clinical immunology 5.6 (2009): 693–702. PMC. Web. 29 Jan. 2018. Litonjua, Augusto A. et al.Vitamin D status through the first 10 years of life: A vital piece of the puzzle in asthma inception, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , Volume 139 , Issue 2 , 459 - 461 Martineau AR, Cates CJ, Urashima M, Jensen M, Griffiths AP, Nurmatov U, Sheikh A, Griffiths CJ, Stefanidis C. Vitamin D for the management of asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD011511. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011511.pub2.*The claims and statements made in this blog posting have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products or ingredients or diets or lifestyles are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is recommended that a physician be consulted before taking any supplements/ingredients/products. Results not typical and may vary.