Are you Vitamin D Deficient?
May 2010. Filed in: Diet | Immune System
A recent Danish study linked Vitamin D deficiency with poor T Cell activation. T cells are the immune system's natural killer cells, that fight infection. If deficient in Vitamin D your immunity will be impaired. Aa recent conversation with a local GP revealed that a significant number of his patients (male and female) are Vitamin D deficient. What are we to make of this?
A recent conversation with a local GP revealed that a significant number of his patients (male and female) presented with low, to very low, levels of Vitamin D. Yes, Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin, so one might expect some parts of the population to be on the low side, but I was surprised to find that it might be a much more significant number of the population.
The unfortunate consequence of this is that most of you probably are totally oblivious to this - if you are deficient that is. The sad fact is that the first time you find out about this deficiency is when you visit your doctor for another reason and she or he runs a standard gammet of blood tests. Bingo! You come back Vitamin D deficient.
Recent research had made strong links between Vitamin D deficiency and poor calcium uptake. It was postulated to be an issue for women - and young women in particular - and the later onset of osteoporosis. In fact, a Tasmanian study of pubescent teenage girls found serious deficiencies in Vitamin D. This in turn raised serious concerns for future generations of women becoming candidates for the onset of osteoporosis. This remained the focus, until a recent study made a connection between Vitamin D and the Immune System's Natural Killer (T) cells.
This Danish study established a link between Vitamin D deficiency and poor immune response. The immune system relies upon T Cells to fight infections. The T cells are like the warriors of old; they go out and engage the enemy on the front line. If they are defeated then the enemy (infection) is more able to invade and (possibly) overcome the immune response. It appears that, when attacked, the T Cells respond by seeking out Vitamin D to give them the fuel to fight the good fight. If there are insufficient quantities then the T cels remain dormant.
The issue for most of us who the live in and around Ballarat is insufficient winter sun - the main source of Vitamin D. If you fall into this category and you find yourself prone to colds, flus, sinus problems and other infections it might be a good idea to make an appointment with your GP for a Vitamin D check.
The unfortunate consequence of this is that most of you probably are totally oblivious to this - if you are deficient that is. The sad fact is that the first time you find out about this deficiency is when you visit your doctor for another reason and she or he runs a standard gammet of blood tests. Bingo! You come back Vitamin D deficient.
Recent research had made strong links between Vitamin D deficiency and poor calcium uptake. It was postulated to be an issue for women - and young women in particular - and the later onset of osteoporosis. In fact, a Tasmanian study of pubescent teenage girls found serious deficiencies in Vitamin D. This in turn raised serious concerns for future generations of women becoming candidates for the onset of osteoporosis. This remained the focus, until a recent study made a connection between Vitamin D and the Immune System's Natural Killer (T) cells.
This Danish study established a link between Vitamin D deficiency and poor immune response. The immune system relies upon T Cells to fight infections. The T cells are like the warriors of old; they go out and engage the enemy on the front line. If they are defeated then the enemy (infection) is more able to invade and (possibly) overcome the immune response. It appears that, when attacked, the T Cells respond by seeking out Vitamin D to give them the fuel to fight the good fight. If there are insufficient quantities then the T cels remain dormant.
The issue for most of us who the live in and around Ballarat is insufficient winter sun - the main source of Vitamin D. If you fall into this category and you find yourself prone to colds, flus, sinus problems and other infections it might be a good idea to make an appointment with your GP for a Vitamin D check.