How Vitamin D Inhibits Inflammation

How Vitamin D Inhibits Inflammation

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223103920.html

Researchers at National Jewish Health have identified the DNA-binding
site for the vitamin D receptors that activate a gene called MKP-1, which
interferes with the inflammatory cascade. They incubated human white
blood cells with different levels of vitamin D, then exposed the samples
to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a molecule associated with bacterial cell
walls which causes an inflammatory response. Cells incubated in 30 ng/ml
of vitamin D and above showed a significantly reduced response to LPS
with the highest level of inhibition with 50 ng/ml of vitamin D. The study
author, Elena Goleva, stated “This study goes beyond previous associations
of vitamin D with various health outcomes. It outlines a clear chain of
cellular events, from the binding of DNA, through a specific signaling pathway,
to the reduction of proteins known to trigger inflammation. Patients with
chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, arthritis and prostate cancer,
who are vitamin D deficient, may benefit from vitamin D supplementation
to get their serum vitamin D levels above 30 nanograms/milliliter.” The
findings will be published in the March 1, 2012, issue of The Journal of
Immunology.

This article is interesting because current guidelines suggest people
should maintain a minimum blood serum level of 20 ng/ml, but that
level is still debated. With this study, people that need anti-inflammatory
benefits, a minimum of 30 ng/ml is recommended. It is interesting that
practical information is being recommended without the need
to further study this or that or repeat it on a bigger mammal. However,
it would be nice if they could include what level of supplements you
would need to take to get your blood serum levels to 30 nanograms/
milliliter. For example, how many IU of vitamin D would a 150 pound
person need to take to reach the recommended level?