Dysregulated vitamin D metabolism and impaired immune system function

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Meg Mangin

Chronic Illness Recovery, USA

: J Immunol Tech Infect Dis

Abstract

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Inflammation is believed to be a contributing factor in many chronic diseases. The influence of vitamin D deficiency on inflammation is being explored but studies have not demonstrated a causative effect. Low serum 25(OH)D is also found in healthy persons exposed to adequate sunlight. Despite increased vitamin D supplementation inflammatory diseases are increasing. The current method of determining vitamin D status may be at fault. The level of 25(OH)D does not always reflect the level of 1,25(OH)2D. Assessment of both metabolites often reveals elevated 1,25(OH)2D, indicating abnormal vitamin D endocrine function. Some authorities now believe that low 25(OH)D is a consequence of chronic inflammation rather than the cause. Research points to a bacterial etiology pathogenesis for an inflammatory disease process which results in high 1,25(OH)2D and low 25(OH)D. Immunotherapy, directed at eradicating persistent intracellular pathogens, corrects dysregulated vitamin D metabolism and resolves inflammatory symptoms. This article reviews vitamin D’s influence on the immune system, examines the myths regarding vitamin D photosynthesis, discusses ways to accurately assess vitamin D status, describes the risks of supplementation, explains the effect of persistent infection on vitamin D metabolism and presents a novel immunotherapy which provides evidence of an infection connection to inflammation.

Biography

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Meg Mangin is the Executive Director of Chronic Illness Recovery, USA. She has presented at many conferences and is the co-author of a chapter in the textbook “Vitamin D: New Research” and the lead author of the ground-breaking review article “Inflammation and vitamin D: The infection connection” published in the October 2014 issue of Inflammation Research. info@chronicillnessrecovery.org