Why Is Vitamin D3 Essential for Allergic Asthma?

In allergic asthma condition, consuming vitamin D3 alters the cellular inflammatory reaction, revealed Department of Molecular Pneumology researchers. Doctoral candidate Janina Grund and the members of the working group led by Prof. Dr. Susetta Finotto from the Department of Molecular Pneumology have investigated the clinical manifestation of asthma in pre-school children and adults in the context of vitamin B3 levels in their blood and taking vitamin D3 supplements.

In certain cells in the blood of people with higher levels of vitamin D3, the scientists discovered greater quantities of the protein blimp-1, that is responsible for controlling the immune response of T helper cells.

Can Vitamin D Supplements Help Prevent Asthma Attacks?

In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanism, Janina Grund investigated the effects administering vitamin D3 has on the immune response in mice. Once again, the vitamin led to less severe cases of asthma.

She also found fewer allergy-inducing antibodies (IgE) that are responsible for certain allergic diseases such as hay fever, asthma or eczema. Administering higher doses of vitamin D3 even triggered an anti-inflammatory reaction in the immune system, specifically with the messenger substance IL-10 and cells that create blimp-1.

Interestingly, the working group was able for the first time to prove that the vitamin has an effect on long-lived memory T cells that are key to the long-term immune response in the case of asthma.

As it is hard to give specific recommendations for treatment based on this basic research, however, patients should contact their doctor if they have any questions.

Source-Eurekalert