Vitamin D boost for the immune system

11 March 2010

Several newspapers this week reported on newly published research that indicated a key role for vitamin D in boosting the immune system by triggering and arming the body's T cells, the cells in the body that seek out and destroy any invading bacteria and viruses.

An overview of this laboratory study, published in NHS Choices Behind the Headlines section, explains that the researchers had found that vitamin D was required for the priming of T cells (a type of white blood cell involved in the immune system) in order for them to respond to antigens (foreign molecules).

The study extends our understanding of the complex events that occur in cells in the immune system and indicates a role for vitamin D. Although these findings might suggest that people with vitamin D deficiency are more susceptible to infection or that vitamin D supplements might boost immunity, such theories need to be tested in human research before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

How this relates to MS is as yet unclear; other studies suggest that vitamin D may influence the susceptibility to MS and may also be of use for treating MS itself.