Vitamin D and respiratory health

• Published in: Clinical and experimental immunology Vol. 158; no. 1; pp. 20 - 25
• Main Authors: Hughes, D.A, Norton, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-10-2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Dietary Supplements; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; immune function; Immunologic Factors - physiology; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; inflammation; lung; Lung - metabolism; Lung - physiopathology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - drug therapy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections - drug therapy; Respiratory Tract Infections - physiopathology; Review; vitamin D; Vitamin D - physiology; Vitamin D - therapeutic use; Vitamin D; Health; Lung; immune function; Biochemistry; Inflammation; Respiratory system; Immunity
• ISSN: 0009-9104; 1365-2249
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.04001.x

Vitamin D is now known to be of physiological importance outside of bone health and calcium homeostasis, and there is mounting evidence that it plays a beneficial role in the prevention and/or treatment of a wide range of diseases. In this brief review the known effects of vitamin D on immune function are described in relation to respiratory health. Vitamin D appears capable of inhibiting pulmonary inflammatory responses while enhancing innate defence mechanisms against respiratory pathogens. Population-based studies showing an association between circulating vitamin D levels and lung function provide strong justification for randomized controlled clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation in patients with respiratory diseases to assess both efficacy and optimal dosage.