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Review
. 2015 Jan;45(1):114-25.
doi: 10.1111/cea.12430.

Vitamin D and the development of allergic disease: how important is it?

H Mirzakhani  1 , A Al-Garawi, S T Weiss, A A Litonjua
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin D and the development of allergic disease: how important is it?

H Mirzakhani et al. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Vitamin D has known effects on lung development and the immune system that may be important in the development, severity, and course of allergic diseases (asthma, eczema, and food allergy). Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide and may partly explain the increases in asthma and allergic diseases that have occurred over the last 50-60 years. In this review, we explore past and current knowledge on the effect of vitamin D on lung development and immunomodulation and present the evidence of its role in allergic conditions. While there is growing observational and experimental evidence for the role of vitamin D, well-designed and well-powered clinical trials are needed to determine whether supplementation of vitamin D should be recommended in these disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

Drs. Scott Weiss and Augusto Litonjua have received research support for Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART) by U01 HL091528 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential effects of vitamin D in asthma and allergy development or modification Several studies support the modification role of vitamin D in asthma and allergy. However, preventive effects of vitamin D in risk reduction of asthma and allergy development during pregnancy and early life requires more well designed longitudinal studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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