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February 27 2000
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Vitamin D and Tuberculosis

 

Susceptibility to disease after infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is influenced by environmental and host genetic factors. Vitamin D metabolism leads to activation of macrophages and restricts the intracellular growth of M tuberculosis. This effect may be influenced by polymorphisms at three sites in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene.

There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Gujarati Asians living in London, a population in whom the incidence of tuberculosis is also high. The lowest serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations were found in patients with active disease, and the greatest risk of tuberculosis (nearly ten-fold higher) was associated with an undetectable 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration.

Analysis of vitamin D concentrations during therapy suggests that tuberculosis itself does not lower 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations. In addition, the association between vitamin D concentrations and active tuberculosis showed dose dependency. Although dietary deficiency contributes to the high proportion of vitamin D deficiency in the population, the analysis of indicates that other factors (probably sunlight exposure) are important. The greatest risk of tuberculosis was associated with an undetectable vitamin D concentration, so even moderate supplementation may be useful.

Lancet Volume 355, Number 9204 19 February 2000



Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Vitamin D is an important nutrient to optimize immune function. If you are avoiding milk (as I believe you should) and you are not getting large amounts of sunshine regularly you need to be certain to take some vitamin D daily. Most all multiple vitamins have the 400 units you would need. Natural would be better than synthetic. If you have sun exposure your skin will convert the sunlight to vitamin D so a supplement is unnecessary. Breast feeding moms take note as this is the only supplement that is recommended to children (unless of course they have regular sun exposure).
I believe there is some value here for anyone with rheumatoid arthritis. They should be certain to have adequate vitamin D levels as the cause of RA is likely to be another mycoplama infection similar to the one that causes TB.

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