Does Vitamin D Prevent Eczema and Psoriasis?
Understanding Vitamin D and Its Importance
Vitamin D is well-known for its critical role in aiding calcium absorption to build strong bones, with severe deficiencies linked to rickets, a bone-softening disease. Recent research, however, has highlighted the broader health implications of the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ especially given the increasing awareness of widespread global vitamin D deficiency. Produced in the skin, vitamin D has numerous effects on skin health and is being extensively studied for its potential therapeutic benefits for various skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.Scientific Research on Vitamin D for Eczema and Psoriasis
2018 Review: Vitamin D and Skin Health
A 2018 review published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology suggested that vitamin D supplements might alleviate symptoms of common skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. The review focused on the role of vitamin D in skin physiology, particularly in inflammatory skin conditions. Researchers concluded that both topical and systemic vitamin D interventions have shown beneficial effects in managing psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema) .2022 and 2023 Studies: Antenatal Vitamin D and Infant Eczema
Several studies in 2022 and 2023 examined the impact of antenatal vitamin D supplementation on the risk of infant eczema:- A 2022 randomized controlled trial found that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy had a protective effect against infantile atopic eczema .
- Another 2022 study linked sufficient umbilical cord blood vitamin D levels with a reduced incidence of eczema in infants up to one year old .
- A 2023 systematic review reinforced these findings, showing a correlation between higher vitamin D levels in umbilical cord blood and a lower risk of eczema in childhood .
2022 Meta-Analysis: Vitamin D and Allergic Diseases in Children
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, including 32 randomized controlled trials with 2347 participants, published in Nutrients, assessed the effects of vitamin D supplementation on children with allergic diseases. The analysis revealed that vitamin D supplementation reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children .2023 Reviews: Vitamin D and Psoriasis
Low vitamin D levels are considered a risk factor for psoriasis:- A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in Nutrients found significantly lower vitamin D levels in individuals with psoriasis, though supplementation did not notably improve clinical symptoms .
- Another 2023 systematic review in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine reported a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency among psoriasis patients .
Conclusion
Vitamin D plays a vital role in numerous health aspects, yet global deficiency rates remain high. There is compelling evidence linking vitamin D to skin health, particularly for managing psoriasis and eczema. Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is essential not only for skin health but for overall well-being. For more information on the benefits of vitamin D and related health topics, check out our other articles on Vitamin D Deficiency and Vitamin D Testing.Sources
- “Therapeutic Interventions based on Vitamin D for Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018.
- “Protective Effect of Antenatal Vitamin D Supplementation on Infantile Atopic Eczema.” Randomized Controlled Trial, 2022.
- “Umbilical Cord Blood Vitamin D Levels and Eczema in Infants.” 2022.
- “Higher Vitamin D Levels in Umbilical Cord Blood and Reduced Eczema Risk.” Systematic Review, 2023.
- “Vitamin D Supplementation and Severity of Atopic Dermatitis in Children.” Nutrients, 2022.
- “Vitamin D Levels and Psoriasis.” Nutrients, 2023.
- “Vitamin D Deficiency in Psoriasis Patients.” Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 2023.
