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Vitamin D and its role in allergic disease
Author(s) -
Reinholz M.,
Ruzicka T.,
Schauber J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03923.x
Subject(s) - vitamin d and neurology , allergy , medicine , disease , atopy , immunology , immune system , population , incidence (geometry) , vitamin d deficiency , environmental health , physics , optics
Summary In W estern countries, the incidence of atopy and allergic diseases is high and further rising. While genetic factors certainly play a role, epigenetic or even nutritional factors might also be important in the pathogenesis of allergies. Vitamin D – the ‘sunshine hormone’ – exerts profound effects on both adaptive and innate immune functions involved in the development and course of allergic diseases. As also the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency is surprisingly high in the general population, clinical and experimental studies have started to investigate if correcting vitamin D levels [measured as serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D ‐25( OH ) D ] is beneficial or even protective in patients with allergies or children at risk. This review highlights current data on the effects of vitamin D on the allergy‐mediating immune system and the vitamin D status in atopic patients. Furthermore, the benefits and risks of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, childhood and in adults with respect to the development and course of allergic disease are discussed.