Scientists have found that vitamin D alone or in combination with omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, and psoriasis. At the same time, taking only omega-3 did not have such a therapeutic effect.
Our immune system constantly protects us from many threats, from coronavirus to fungal infections. But sometimes this complex mechanism fails, and the immune system begins to fight with its own cells and tissues of the body. Such diseases are called systemic, because they often affect the whole system or even the body.
It is not yet known which processes trigger autoimmune diseases. However, injuries, stress, hypothermia and even infectious diseases can provoke them.
It turned out that vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. In a study proving this, 25,871 people took part, all of them were elderly. The subjects were divided into groups: one took vitamin D supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, the second took vitamin D and a placebo supplement instead of omega-3, the third took omega-3 fatty acids with placebo, and the fourth group received only placebo.
Participants in the study were asked to fill out a questionnaire in which they answered questions about existing autoimmune diseases. And doctors looked at medical records to make sure the diagnoses were correct.
“Autoimmune diseases are common among the elderly and negatively affect health and life expectancy. Until now, we have not had a proven way to prevent them, and now for the first time we have it, ”said lead author of the study, Jill Hahn. “It would be great if we could continue to test the same preventive effects in younger people.”
The result was that participants who received vitamin D were 22% less likely to develop one of the most common autoimmune diseases. diseases — atopic dermatitis. But those who took only omega-3 did not have advantages over the control group, which got a placebo.
The researchers hope to continue their work. It is necessary to find out how vitamin D will work for younger people, as well as for those who have had atopic dermatitis at an earlier age. The trial also only tested one dose and one formulation of each supplement.