Vitamin D can stave off autoimmune diseases, study claims

Vitamin D can stave off autoimmune diseases, study claims
Vitamin D can stave off autoimmune diseases, study claims

Taking vitamin D and omega-3 fish oil supplements every day may slash your risk of developing arthritis, research suggests.

Scientists found middle-aged adults who took daily doses of the 'sunshine vitamin' were 22 per cent less likely to be struck down with an autoimmune disease.  

This umbrella term includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, which are caused by the body's own immune system attacking its own tissue. 

The researchers said more studies were needed to work out why the supplements have the protective effect.  

Millions of people in the UK and US have an autoimmune disease and there is no know way of reducing the risk of developing them.

But researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston say their new findings suggest their is a way to cut their risk.

Experts undertook a five-year long trial of nearly 26,000 people over the age of 50. Results were published in the British Medical Journal

A long-term trial of nearly 26,000 Americans over the age of 50 found taking a vitamin D supplement reduced autoimmune disease rates by 22 per cent compared to a placebo group. Most people get the vitamin D they need from sunlight but in Winter can get it from oily fish and egg yolks or pill supplements

A long-term trial of nearly 26,000 Americans over the age of 50 found taking a vitamin D supplement reduced autoimmune disease rates by 22 per cent compared to a placebo group. Most people get the vitamin D they need from sunlight but in Winter can get it from oily fish and egg yolks or pill supplements 

What is vitamin D and how do I get it? 

Vitamin D is a type of vitamin that the human body gets from both diet and produces when exposed to sunlight. 

What does it do?

It helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.

These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.  

People who don't get enough vitamin D can suffer from bone deformities such as rickets in children and osteomalacia (a softening of the bones) in adults.   

How do I get enough vitamin D?

In the UK most people will get the vitamin D they need from sunlight between April and September as long as they go outside.

The body naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D is also found in foods such as oily fish, liver and egg yolks.

Do I need to take a supplement?

The NHS says people should consider taking a vitamin D supplement in the winter month when sunlight is weaker.

Other people may need to take vitamin D throughout the year due to being housebound, or if they have dark skin which reduces the amount of sunlight their skin absorbs. 

Children aged one-to-four years old should also be given a daily vitamin D supplement of 10micrograms(μg) of throughout the year. 

How much should I take?    

The NHS advises 10μg a day is enough for most people.

What happens if I take too much? 

Taking too much over a long time can lead to a dangerous build-up of calcium in the body which can weaken bones, and also damage the heart and kidneys.

The NHS advises against adults taking more than 100μg per day.

Children aged one-to-10 years should not exceed 50μg a day and infants under 12 months should not have more than 25mμg per day. 

Vitamin D is frequently sold in units called IU. One microgram of vitamin D is equal to 40 IU.

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