Vitamin D 'may help prevent development of rheumatoid arthritis'

People who consume plenty of vitamin D could lower their risk of developing rheumatoidarthritis, according to a new study. The University of Birmingham research, published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, has revealed key insights into the relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory diseases such asrheumatoid arthritis, with implications for those at risk for such conditions as well as those already affected. The vital role vitamin D plays in rheumatoid arthritis The researchers analysed samples of blood and synovial fluid from the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, making this the first study to characterise the effects of vitamin D in both the peripheral blood and joint fluids of people with inflammatory conditions. It was shown that maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels can be an effective way of preventing the onset of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but is less beneficial once inflammatory disease has already been established, due to the fact that these conditions can result in vitamin D insensitivity in the cells. Although vitamin D was shown to be an effective way of suppressing inflammation, immune cells in the joints that are already inflamed are less likely to change - meaning clinicians may need to prescribe much higher doses than are currently offered. Potential implications Based on these findings, the team are looking to carry out follow-up studies to determine why rheumatoid arthritis leads to vitamin D insensitivity and how this...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news