(04-05-12) High vitamin D level essential to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) The connection between cellular saturation of the prohormone
vitamin D and development of chronic conditions ranging from cancer, dementia,
stroke and heart disease have been well documented among forward-thinking
scientists for at least a decade now. The specific mechanism of action has not
been well documented though, as most studies have not drawn a clear line
between blood levels of vitamin D and disease prevention.

Researchers from National Jewish Health reporting in The Journal of Immunology
have discovered specific molecular and signaling events by which vitamin D
inhibits inflammation to help prevent and possibly even treat a host of
potentially deadly diseases. Current levels considered satisfactory by most
medical professionals did not inhibit the inflammatory cascade, leading to the
progression of many forms of disease. Conversely, individuals that maintain
significantly higher blood levels of vitamin D had lower levels of inflammatory
markers known to aggravate disease progression and were protected against the
major killers so prevalent today.

High vitamin D status inhibits inflammatory messengers to prevent chronic
disease
The study author, Dr. Elena Goleva noted that this research "goes beyond
previous associations of vitamin D with various health outcomes. It outlines a
clear chain of cellular events, from the binding of DNA, through a specific
signaling pathway, to the reduction of proteins known to trigger inflammation."
Current guidelines call for minimum vitamin D blood serum levels of 20 ng/ml, a
benchmark set decades ago that was intended to prevent rickets in children and
promote bone health. Researchers conducting this study found improvement in
inflammation levels at a minimum of 30 ng/ml, leaving millions at risk for
chronic disease.

Scientists conducting this study examined the specific mechanisms exhibited by
vitamin D to act on immune and inflammatory pathways. They incubated white
blood cells with different saturation levels of vitamin D and then exposed the
culture to an inflammatory molecule known to promote intense inflammatory
responses. Cells exposed to low levels of vitamin D (less than 15 ng/ml)
produced excessive levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha,
associated with disease development and progression. The highest level of
inflammatory inhibition occurred at 50 ng/ml and above as cells become fully
saturated with the prohormone and maximum immune response is observed.

Researchers identified a new location where the vitamin-D receptor appears to
bind directly to DNA and activate a gene known as MKP-1, interfering with the
inflammatory cascade promoted by long-term stress and a highly refined,
processed food diet. Dr. Goleva concluded "The fact that we showed a dose-
dependent and varying response to levels commonly found in humans also adds
weight to the argument for vitamin D's role in immune and inflammatory
conditions." Maintain your vitamin D blood levels above 50 ng/ml (measured with
the 25(OH)D test) to afford maximum protection against chronic inflammatory-
mediated diseases.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.jimmunol.org
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223103920.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/242123.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/njh-rdh022212.php

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