Importance of Vitamin D for Bone and Muscle Health.
Vitamin D Deficiency and its Implications.
The Connection between Vitamin D and Eczema.
Exploring the Research on Vitamin D and Eczema.
Methodology and Findings of the Key Study.
Implications of the Study for Eczema Sufferers.
Ways to Boost Your Vitamin D Intake.
Key Takeaways
Vitamin D supplementation can reduce the severity of eczema symptoms, as suggested by robust scientific research.
Vitamin D supplementation has minimal side effects and is thus considered a safe treatment option.
Vitamin D can be obtained from dietary sources like oily fish, red meat, egg yolks, and fortified foods, or through supplementation, especially during autumn and winter.
Vitamin D and Eczema: An Introduction
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate the calcium and phosphate chemicals in the body. They are crucial to maintaining the health of bones, teeth and muscles. Unfortunately, during the autumn and winter, we’re often left with reduced levels of this nutrient. This can lead to muscle fatigue, bone pains and overall tiredness. But there’s a lot more that it has shown to cause, especially if you suffer from eczema…
How Does Vitamin D Affect Eczema?
You’ll find lots of stories that suggest Vitamin D can help to reduce eczema symptoms. But with many things on the internet, it’s difficult to know who or what to trust. So we scoured the research databases and generated our own conclusions. One study, in particular, stood out. A paper published in 2018 answered the question, “What role does Vitamin D have on eczema flare-ups?.” Here, we’ll break it down and share what it means for you:
In A Nutshell 🥜
The evidence suggests that Vitamin D supplementation can help to reduce eczema symptoms.
Vitamin D supplementation reduced eczema severity in the studies.
It’s been shown to have few side effects and therefore considered a safe treatment.
How They Did It
The scientists searched all medical literature databases and found 266 relevant papers. Of those, four studies were found to be highly relevant. They specifically researched the effect of Vitamin D and eczema by creating two groups: one which received vitamin D and the other that took a placebo. This is just a decoy, which contains no active ingredients that may impact a person’s skin.
They then researched the differences in symptoms to determine if Vitamin D was beneficial or the same as taking a placebo. Finally, the researchers brought together the results and outlined their conclusions.
The Discoveries
Those who took Vitamin D supplementation showed a difference of -5.81 in their eczema severity scores. The results also had a very high degree of confidence, suggesting that the findings are highly accurate.
The researchers concluded that Vitamin D has a potentially significant role in improving the symptoms of eczema. They also found it safe and tolerable, with minimal side effects.
What It Means For You.
The findings suggest that taking Vitamin D supplements can help reduce eczema flare-ups. It also has few side effects and therefore presents a low-risk option to help alleviate symptoms.
How Can I Get Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is found in a small number of foods. Sources include:
Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
Red meat
Liver
Egg yolks
Fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals
Another source of vitamin D is dietary supplements. Taking these aren’t usually needed between March and the end of September. But we’re more likely to drop to low levels outside of these periods. If you’re indoors often, usually wear clothes that cover most of your skin, or have darker skin, you’re likely to be susceptible to vitamin D deficiency.
A daily supplement of 10 micrograms is therefore recommended throughout the year. This is a relatively small dose and is increased in those with proven deficiency. If this is the case, you can get your levels checked by a healthcare professional.
References
Kim G, Bae JH. Vitamin D and atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition. 2016 Sep;32(9):913-20. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.01.023. Epub 2016 Feb 18. PMID: 27061361.
Read More:
Find Out More About Vitamin D Here:
Vitamin D - Uses, Side Effects, and More (WebMD) https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-929/vitamin-d
Vitamin D (NHS) - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
Vitamin D 101 — A Detailed Beginner's Guide (Healthline) - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-101
The significant role of Vitamin D in reducing eczema flare-ups is backed by comprehensive research.
Participants in the study who took Vitamin D supplements showed a considerable decrease in eczema severity scores.
Vitamin D, aside from being safe and tolerable, may also serve as a low-risk option to alleviate eczema symptoms.
A variety of dietary sources provide Vitamin D, and supplementation is often recommended during seasons of lower sun exposure.
The Proton Health app can help monitor and manage symptoms, keeping you informed about your Vitamin D levels and overall health.
