What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune disease triggers the immune system to target its own body, rather than the infection itself.
It also makes people with autoimmune diseases more susceptible to infections, viruses, and illnesses.
How does vitamin D status impact autoimmune disease risk?
Other studies have suggested that increasing vitamin D intake may help alleviate symptoms, Golden shares.
This makes sense, given vitamin D plays an important role in bone health.
Research has suggested that vitamin D deficiency increases someones risk for developing multiple sclerosis, Golden explains.
Diabetes
Research has shown that vitamin D helpsmodulate blood sugarandpromote healthy insulin levels9.
This could explain why diabetes has also beenlinked to vitamin D deficiency.
Interestingly,85% of womenwith polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have vitamin D deficiency as well.
Additionally, maintaining vitamin D sufficiency can helpreduce breast cancer riskby 50%.
The takeaway
Failing to maintain adequate vitamin D levels can increase autoimmune disease risk.
