Low Levels of Vitamin D Linked to Higher Systemic Inflammation

Some systemic inflammation is normal, but elevated levels can lead to a number of age-related health problems. A recent study has found an association between low levels of vitamin D and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for systemic inflammation.

For their study, researchers from the University of South Australia examined genetic data from 294,970 adults who are included in the UK Biobank. Serum levels of vitamin D and CRP were measured.

Vitamin D levels were found to be inversely associated with levels of CRP. As levels of vitamin D decreased, levels of CRP increased, and vice versa. The researchers suggest that increasing vitamin D levels in people with vitamin D deficiency may help them maintain normal levels of CRP and systemic inflammation.

The study was published online ahead of print on May 17, 2022 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

In a previous study, higher vegetable intake was found to help protect against systemic inflammation.