Tuberculosis, along with other lung diseases, is becoming increasingly difficult to treat and growing deadlier day by day. However, recent scientific discoveries have found that a certain vitamin can aid in the recovery of our lungs, making antibiotics more effective in the fight against these diseases.
Researchers at the Centre for Health Sciences at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry have discovered that vitamin D can be a powerful ally for antibiotics attempting to eradicate Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis.
The study and its findings
The researchers conducted a study involving 146 individuals in England, all with drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The study found that patients, who took vitamin D combined with prescribed antibiotics, had their lungs cleared of tuberculosis within five weeks on average. Conversely, without vitamin D, the process took a week longer, averaging six weeks.
The scientists also made a groundbreaking discovery that individuals with a specific genetic type of vitamin D receptor found in their cells were more responsive to the vitamin than others. Their healing process was remarkably faster when given vitamin D supplements along with the standard antibiotics treatment.
Interestingly, the researchers discovered that a staggering 97 percent of the participants in the study suffering from tuberculosis had a deficiency in vitamin D.
According to Adrian Martineau, one of the researchers of the study, “Vitamin D is best known for its effects on bones – it prevents rickets and osteomalacia — but it also has important effects on the immune system.” Vitamin D was used as a high-dose treatment for tuberculosis prior to the availability of modern antibiotics. However, no clinical trials had been conducted to determine how a tuberculosis patient’s genetic makeup could affect their response to vitamin D supplementation. The new finding gives important insights into how vitamin D can impact the immune response.
The role of vitamin D in our health
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining our overall health. Commonly known as the “sunshine vitamin,” we primarily obtain it from exposure to sunlight. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to weakness in the muscles, fatigue, and a compromised immune system. The vitamin also plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones, as it helps the body absorb calcium, preventing conditions like osteoporosis.
Vitamin D has proved to support lung health as well. The findings from subsequent studies have demonstrated the significance of vitamin D in helping to clear lung infections. For example, the study conducted by Martineau and his team showed that patients with a specific genetic makeup responded remarkably well to vitamin D supplements when given antibiotics.
Ensuring adequate vitamin D intake
As we know, exposure to sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. However, it is essential to balance sun exposure to avoid the risk of skin cancer. Similarly, some regions may have less sun exposure, especially during the winter months, making it necessary to explore other ways to obtain the vitamin.
There are a few food sources that contain vitamin D, such as fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel, and tuna), cheese, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Similarly, there are also several fortified alternatives available on the market, like milk, orange juice, and cereals, all of which can help you to maintain a healthy intake of the vitamin.
Supplements are another viable option to ensure adequate vitamin D intake, and in some cases, can play a crucial role in improving a patient’s response to antibiotic treatment in lung infections, including tuberculosis.
Nevertheless, before starting any supplement regimen, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that it is the right choice for your specific case and avoid any potential side effects or interactions with other medications you may be taking.
The takeaway
The discovery of vitamin D as a powerful supplement in the treatment of lung infections underscores the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels in our daily lives. Along with the support of a healthy immune system and bone health, vitamin D can now be considered a vital component in the fight against tuberculosis and similar lung diseases.
Regular exposure to sunlight when feasible, eating vitamin D-rich foods, and taking supplements, if necessary, can significantly contribute to improving one’s overall health, as well as contribute positively to ongoing tuberculosis treatments.
