Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)
For the health condition: Crohn's Disease

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin D (ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2) is used as a supportive therapy in Crohn's Disease based on scientific evidence. Crohn's Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), frequently leads to decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D, due to inflammation or surgical removal of parts of the small intestine. Numerous studies have documented that patients with Crohn's Disease are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency compared to the general population (Ulitsky et al., 2011). Vitamin D plays roles in bone health, immune modulation, and possibly in reducing disease activity in IBD. Deficiency is associated with lower bone mineral density, increasing the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis—already elevated in Crohn's due to chronic inflammation and corticosteroid use.

Some clinical trials and observational studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation can improve serum vitamin D levels and may have beneficial effects on disease activity, inflammation, and quality of life in Crohn's Disease patients (Jørgensen et al., 2010). However, the evidence that supplementation directly modifies the course of Crohn's Disease is still emerging, and major guidelines recommend vitamin D repletion primarily to prevent bone disease. Thus, while there is scientific rationale and some supportive data, the strength of evidence is moderate, and supplementation is mainly aimed at correcting deficiency and supporting bone health.

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