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[Sir Joey The Great!]

Sufferers Of Crohn's Disease May Benefit From Vitamin D Supplements A new study has found that Vitamin D, readily available in supplements or cod liver oil, can counter the effects of Crohn's disease.John White, an endocrinologist at the Research Institute of the McGillUniversity Health Centre, led a team of scientists from McGillUniversity and the Université de Montréal who present their findingsabout the inflammatory bowel disease in the latest Journal of Biological Chemistry.

"Our data suggests, for the first time, that Vitamin D deficiency cancontribute to Crohn's disease," says Dr. White, a professor in McGill'sDepartment of Physiology, noting that people from northern countries,which receive less sunlight that is necessary for the fabrication ofVitamin D by the human body, are particularly vulnerable to Crohn'sdisease.

Vitamin D, in its active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), is ahormone that binds to receptors in the body's cells. Dr. White'sinterest in Vitamin D was originally in its effects in mitigating cancer.Because his results kept pointing to Vitamin D's effects on the immunesystem, specifically the innate immune system that acts as the body'sfirst defense against microbial invaders, he investigated Crohn'sdisease. "It's a defect in innate immune handling of intestinalbacteria that leads to an inflammatory response that may lead to anautoimmune condition," stresses Dr. White.

What Vitamin D does

Dr. White and his team found that Vitamin D acts directly on the beta defensin 2 gene, which encodes an antimicrobial peptide, and the NOD2 gene that alerts cells to the presence of invading microbes.Both Beta-defensin and NOD2 have been linked to Crohn's disease. IfNOD2 is deficient or defective, it cannot combat invaders in the intestinal tract.

What's most promising about this genetic discovery, says Dr.White, is how it can be quickly put to the test. "Siblings of patients with Crohn's disease that haven't yet developed the disease might be well advised to make sure they're vitamin D sufficient. It's something that's easy to do, because they can simply go to a pharmacy and buy Vitamin D supplements. The vast majority of people would be candidates for Vitamin D treatment."

"This discovery is exciting, since it shows how an over-the-counter supplement such as Vitamin D could help people defend themselves against Crohn's disease," says Marc J. Servant, a professor at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Pharmacy and study collaborator. "We have identified a new treatment avenue for people with Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases."

This study was funded by a grant from McGill University.

Source:  Julie Robert
McGill University Health Centre

[rebelsgirl]

Thanks Joey. I remember Wayne was vitamin D deficient, and had to have treatments. I drink so much milk and my Calcium has Vitamin D in it too. I'll have to get some for Clint and tell Amber and Scott to get them some.

[Lovinlife]

That makes sense to me.  Every winter my skin breaks out here and there with spots that are a little crusty and remind me of psoriasis, but it also resembles ring worm in a way.  The hang around for months and sometimes itch and are very red when wet or when I put cream on them. During the summer when I am "sun worshipping" they go away completely.  When I used to tan at the booths the spots would go away.  I believe the Vitamin D from the sun "cures" the spots.  This has been going on for years. 

[acruse]

i hope there is something to this new research! my dr. recently had my blood tested for vitamin d.. my level was 13. the normal range is 30 to 74 or something like that. i've been on vitamin d suppliments for about 2 months now and my level has gone up to 24! it would be great if something as simple as this could help my crohns.. i've had the disease for over 5 years and my case (as i'm sure most are) has been a tricky one for my doctor. i have also recently started humira (3 mos.) i have started to notice some improvements with that as well.

speaking of humira, i'm currently taking 1 pen every other week. at my last visit i asked about doing a pen a week, cause i feel my symptoms can still be controlled further, and my doctor was very hesitant to try this.. he'd like me to continue on my current schedule for at least 6 more weeks! does anyone out there take a pen a week? is it that drastically different?

i'm new, thanks for reading!

-adam