Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Tuberculosis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has a scientific basis for its use in the support or adjunctive treatment of tuberculosis (TB), stemming from its immunomodulatory properties. Historically, before the advent of antibiotics, cod liver oil (rich in vitamin D) and sunlight exposure (promoting vitamin D synthesis) were commonly recommended for TB patients, suggesting both a traditional and early scientific recognition of its potential benefit. Modern research has identified that vitamin D enhances the body's innate immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. Specifically, vitamin D increases the production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, which can inhibit the growth of TB bacteria within macrophages.

Several observational studies have shown that individuals with low vitamin D levels are at higher risk for developing active TB. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vitamin D supplementation as an adjunct to standard TB treatment have yielded mixed results. Some studies report faster sputum conversion and improved immune responses, while others do not find statistically significant clinical benefits. The overall evidence base is suggestive but not conclusive, and major clinical guidelines do not currently recommend routine vitamin D supplementation in TB treatment unless deficiency is documented.

In summary, there is a scientific rationale and some supportive evidence for vitamin D’s use in TB, mostly as an adjunct to conventional therapy, but the quality and consistency of clinical trial data are limited. Thus, the evidence rating is moderate (2 out of 5).

More about vitamin D
More about Tuberculosis

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