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Recent Harvard Medical School research supports the idea that vitamin D deficiency contributes to both an increased risk of asthma attacks in children and to the severity of asthma attacks. The study, which monitored more than 600 children diagnosed with asthma, assessed the participants for lung function, presence of allergies, and blood levels of vitamin D. The results showed that the levels of the vitamin were closely tied to both the frequency and severity of attacks, as well as the frequency of hospitalization. Children who were deficient in vitamin D were hospitalized for asthma more often, and were more likely to have used inhalant corticosteroids for asthma relief. It was also found that the vitamin deficient children were more likely to have allergies such as dust mite allergy. The study's authors said the results confirm the idea that vitamin D plays an important role in health maintenance for asthma and allergy sufferers, and that deficiency of the vitamin can make both conditions worse. Supplementing levels of the vitamin and eliminating deficiencies could help with asthma control, they said. The Harvard study is the latest of many to investigate the connection between D vitamin and respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. A 2008 University of Pennsylvania research project found that the anti-inflammatory effects of calcitrol, a form of vitamin D, was effective in preventing reduced lung function in asthma patients. Calcitrol helped prevent lung function reduction by inhibiting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the airways. The proliferation of such cells is part of a process called airway remodeling, a common problem for asthmatics which makes airways narrower and makes them more susceptible to asthma attacks. In addition, a small 2005 pilot study suggested that vitamin D could be used to help treat steroid-resistant asthma. The findings of the study indicated that supplemental doses of vitamin D helped asthma patients who were resistant to steroids get more benefit from steroid-based asthma medications. Medical research is proving that Vitamin D, long known for building strong bones, plays a huge role in many aspects of health. To find out more about how vitamin D benefits hearts, flu, immune function, and may even prevent some forms of cancer, visit Vitamin D Answers.
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