Could vitamin D supplementation reduce inflammation in the body?

Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are known to be associated with some cancers. Inflammatory processes and mechanisms involving certain signaling proteins released by adipose tissue are considered responsible. Overweight people have been shown to have lower blood vitamin D levels because adipose tissue retains it in fat stores, reducing its blood concentration and availability. Weight loss therefore positively affects vitamin D levels.

Because weight loss reduces inflammation, this effect is thought potentially related to vitamin D levels. A recently published study therefore investigated vitamin D’s effects on inflammatory markers.

The study included overweight women (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) with low vitamin D levels ( 10 - 32 ng/mL), 218 postmenopausal women in total. Participants were divided into 2 groups; over 12 months, one received vitamin D supplementation alongside a weight-loss program, while the other followed the program alone. After 12 months, subgroups were formed: no weight loss/weight gain, loss of less than %5, loss of %5-10 and loss of more than %10 of body weight. Inflammatory markers decreased in both groups. However, among those losing %5-10 and more than %10, vitamin D recipients had a significantly greater reduction in IL-6, an inflammatory marker, than nonrecipients. Vitamin D thus enhanced weight loss’s effect in lowering inflammatory markers.

In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation reduced an important inflammatory marker in people losing %5 or more of body weight through weight-loss programs. Although these findings were interpreted as suggesting that vitamin D may reduce systemic inflammation associated with cancer and chronic diseases, it is too early for a definitive statement. Nevertheless, the study is an encouraging development for researchers planning further studies.

In an earlier article, we shared comprehensive, evidence-based information on vitamin D and cancer prevention. To reach that article, click here.