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Vitamin D is Antimicrobial

immune vitamin a vitamin d vitamins

As we went over in my recent ‘Vitamin D: To Supplement or Not?’ post, Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone. It regulates 5% of the protein coding in the human genome. The body simply cannot function optimally without it.

It also plays a huge role in our immune system function. Just like the UV rays of the sun, the Hormone-D produced when your skin is exposed to it is antimicrobial. Here are a few ways Hormone-D supports our immune system:

-Promotes an antibacterial response to pathogens and inflammation when storage D (Calcidiol) is converted to active D (Calcitriol) in the monocytes and macrophages of our innate immune system. Active D will activate the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), expressed in both B and T cells (lymphocytes), to express antimicrobial peptides that attack pathogens, such as cathelicidin (LL-37) and beta defensins.

-Helps infection-fighting T cells move at a faster rate. “...sunlight directly activates key immune cells by increasing their movement.” - Gerard Ahern, PhD

You learned in my Vitamin D post that I’m NOT a fan of supplementation. Sunlight and food sources are best IMHO, as supplementation has many consequences, including negatively impacting the very beneficial functions it's meant to perform!

It’s also important to note that virtually no vitamin or mineral operates on its own. To support Hormone-D’s immune system functions, you should also consider:

-Magnesium levels, as Mg is required for almost every single step of Hormone-D conversion.

-Saturated animal fat consumption, as this is the ONLY way to get real Vitamin A (retinol), which is required to activate the VDR and Hormone-D’s immune functions.

-Oyster consumption, as the VDR binds zinc and can help Hormone-D work inside cells. However, I would highly recommend checking out my post on ‘Oysters,’ as there are also big caveats to supplementation.

-Eating organic, as glyphosate directly and negatively impacts Hormone-D’s immune functions.

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Gammoh, N.Z. Rink, L. (2017). Zinc in Infection and Inflammation. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490603/.

Georgetown University Medical Center. (2016). Sunlight Offers Surprise Benefit – It Energizes Infection Fighting T Cells. Retrieved from: https://gumc.georgetown.edu/news-release/sunlight-offers-surprise-benefit-it-energizes-infection-fighting-t-cells/.

Hewison, M. (2012). An update on vitamin D and human immunity. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21995874.

Kosciuczuk, E.M. Lisowski, P. Jarczak, J. Strzalkowska, N. Jozwik, A. Horbanczuk, J. Kryzewsky, J. Zwierzchowski, L. Bagnicka, E. (2012). Cathelicidins: family of antimicrobial peptides. A review. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3487008/. 

Patrick, R. (2020). COVID-19 Q&A #1 with Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. Retrieved from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfp4X4O87DQ.

Robbins, M. (2018). Iron Toxicity Post #73: Why I detest hormone-D supplementation. Retrieved from: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/iron-toxicity-post-73-formerly-itp-74/. 

Shams, B. Afshari, E. Tajadini, M. Keikha, M. Qorbani, M. Heshmat, R. Motlagh, M.E. Kelishadi, R. (2016). The relationship of serum vitamin D and Zinc in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents: The CASPIAN-III study. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5307609/.

Wu, H. Zhang, G. Minton, J.E. Ross, C.R. Blecha, F. (2000). Regulation of cathelicidin gene expression: induction by lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-6, retinoic acid, and Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium infection. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC101505/. 

Zhong, M. Kawaguchi, R. Kassai, M. Sun, H. (2012). Retina, Retinol, Retinal and the Natural History of Vitamin A as a Light Sensor. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3546623/#!po=0.515464.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.