Asthmatic children with relatively low vitamin D levels in their blood are at a higher risk of suffering severe asthma attacks than those with higher levels of the vitamin.
Asthmatic children with relatively low vitamin D levels in their blood are at a higher risk of suffering severe asthma attacks than those with higher levels of the vitamin.
Vitamin D is best known for its role in healthy bone development and maintenance, but it is also needed for normal nerve, muscle and immune system function. Some studies have linked low vitamin D levels to a higher risk of type 1 or "insulin-dependent" diabetes in children and, in adults, heart disease and certain cancers. But vitamin D's association with asthma is not well studied.
To assess the relationship between vitamin D levels and subsequent asthma attacks, researchers measured vitamin D levels in 1,024 American children with mild-to-moderate asthma. The participants were a part of a clinical trial testing two inhaled asthma medications - budesonide and nedocromil. Using blood samples taken at the start of the trial, researchers found that 35 percent of the children had vitamin D insufficiency, and 65 percent had sufficient levels.
Overall, no evidence was found that sufficient vitamin D levels protected children from moderate asthma symptoms; in fact, children with low levels of the vitamin tended to report fewer moderate symptoms. However, these children had a higher risk of suffering severe asthma attacks.
While the findings point to an association between vitamin D status and asthma exacerbations, they do not prove that vitamin D is responsible - or, by extension, that taking the vitamin will prevent asthma attacks.
Vitamin D is best known for its role in healthy bone development and maintenance, but it is also needed for normal nerve, muscle and immune system function. Some studies have linked low vitamin D levels to a higher risk of type 1 or "insulin-dependent" diabetes in children and, in adults, heart disease and certain cancers. But vitamin D's association with asthma is not well studied.
To assess the relationship between vitamin D levels and subsequent asthma attacks, researchers measured vitamin D levels in 1,024 American children with mild-to-moderate asthma. The participants were a part of a clinical trial testing two inhaled asthma medications - budesonide and nedocromil. Using blood samples taken at the start of the trial, researchers found that 35 percent of the children had vitamin D insufficiency, and 65 percent had sufficient levels.
Overall, no evidence was found that sufficient vitamin D levels protected children from moderate asthma symptoms; in fact, children with low levels of the vitamin tended to report fewer moderate symptoms. However, these children had a higher risk of suffering severe asthma attacks.
While the findings point to an association between vitamin D status and asthma exacerbations, they do not prove that vitamin D is responsible - or, by extension, that taking the vitamin will prevent asthma attacks.
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