Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Autoimmune Disorders

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its role in immune system regulation, which underpins its use in supporting or treating autoimmune disorders. Scientific evidence indicates that vitamin D affects both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system. Vitamin D receptors are present on many immune cells, including T cells, B cells, and antigen-presenting cells. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that vitamin D can modulate immune responses, shifting the balance away from pro-inflammatory pathways implicated in autoimmunity, and promoting regulatory T cell development.

Epidemiological studies have found correlations between low levels of vitamin D and increased risk or severity of various autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated modest benefits of vitamin D supplementation in reducing disease activity in MS and rheumatoid arthritis, though results are inconsistent and often limited by small sample sizes or short durations. Current clinical guidelines generally recommend correcting vitamin D deficiency in people with autoimmune diseases, but do not universally endorse high-dose supplementation as a primary treatment due to insufficient conclusive evidence from large, long-term RCTs.

In summary, while there is a solid scientific rationale and some supportive clinical evidence for vitamin D’s use in autoimmune disorders, the strength of evidence is moderate (rating: 3/5). Ongoing research is needed to establish optimal dosing and to clarify which patient populations may benefit most.

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Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis