Jan 2017 saw the publication of a review article on the potential role of Vitamin D as a risk factor in the development in the generation of autoimmune disorders.[1]

In the last few years, more attention has been given to the “non-calcaemic” effect of vitamin D. Several observational studies and meta-analyses demonstrated an association between circulating levels of vitamin D and outcome of many common diseases, including endocrine diseases, chronic diseases, cancer progression, and autoimmune diseases.

Dr Carrie Decker ND explores the role of a number of nutrients in the management of immune responses to challenges. The topic of infection and related illness are often of concern in the autumn and through the winter, with many people having increased exposures with children back at school and confined to the indoors.

In January 2011 a very interesting paper was published in Physiological Reviews, exploring the role of gastrointestinal permeability, genetics and risk of development of autoimmune diseases.[1]

This abstract explores some of the principle messages in the paper which is also available as a full free text.

It is generally accepted that it is the interplay between environmental factors and specific susceptibility genes that underlies the aberrant immune response responsible for the onset of these diseases. Less than 10% of those with increased genetic susceptibility progress to clinical disease, suggesting a strong environmental trigger in the predisease state.