According to a recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers pointed to a causal link between allergy reduction and the intake of vitamin D - one of the rising stars of the world of natural health because of its varied health benefits.

This study, which was undertaken by researchers from the LSU Health Sciences Center, focused on one particular type of mold called Aspergillus fumigatus.

This common mold is not considered a major health threat but it can produce problems if inhaled by people afflicted by asthma and cystic fibrosis.  Asthmatics and sufferers of CF can experience severe allergic reactions to this common mold, if exposure is frequent and the air is thick with mold spores.

The commonness of the Aspergillus fumigatus is the main reason why the researchers wanted to know why only a small group of the entire population would be prone to allergic reactions because of it.  The study also aimed at discovering the other factors that contributed to the allergic reactions and if there were any other contributing circumstances that could predispose a person to become allergic to common mold.

After analyzing their data, they found out that the T-cells or guard cells of asthmatics and CF sufferers were more sensitive to the Aspergillus fumigatus particles.

An allergy hormone called Th2 was released in greater amounts whenever T-cells detected Aspergillus fumigatus’ presence in the body, which resulted in severe allergies.  The researchers also took samples from respondents.  The results of their testing was clear: those who experienced higher sensitivity to the common mold also had low levels of vitamin D in their bloodstream.

The inverse relationship between allergen sensitivity and vitamin D in the respondents’ bloodstream was the reason why the researchers marked this vitamin as a potential ally against allergies in general.  The next step, they said, was to hold a large scale human trial to test whether vitamin D would be of any help to a larger representation of the populace.

Another study on vitamin D, published in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, stated that individuals who had low vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer from asthma longer and such individuals were also more likely to use prescription medication to control their condition.

Sources:
sciencedaily.com
sciencedaily.com