People who are vitamin D deficient do not respond well to treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, and are more likely to have a relapse.

What is Inflammation of the Bowel?

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are both referred to as inflammatory bowel disease. They are autoimmune conditions, meaning the immune system is responsible for causing damage to the small or large intestine.

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Both are very common conditions that younger individuals can suffer from. Inflammatory bowel disease can range from mild to life-threatening.

Low Vitamin D Worsens Inflammatory Bowel Disease

An interesting study just published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics called Higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D Levels Are Associated With Greater Chances of Remission With Factor-A Necrosis Anti-Tumor Drugs Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

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Previous studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with more aggressive inflammatory bowel disease and may prolong the duration of treatment with anti-TNFα drugs in patients.

In this particular study scientists examined the medical records of 173 patients at Brigham and Women's Hospital IBD Center. Results showed that optimal blood vitamin D levels were associated with disease remission after three months of treatment.

Individuals with below-normal vitamin D had a lower chance of going into remission, regardless of age, gender, specific diagnosis, type of anti-TNFα drug therapy used, or whether it was the first or subsequent anti-TNFα treatment.

Of course, vitamin D is crucial in treating inflammatory bowel disease. It has a natural anti-inflammatory effect and helps balance the immune system.