The role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of selected autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Background. Autoimmune diseases affect a large number of people worldwide and currently pose a serious challenge to public health. Growing knowledge about their epidemiology, risk factors, as well as the processes leading to their development and the mechanisms responsible for their onset, opens new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

Aim. The article aims to draw attention to vitamin D and its powerful immunomodulatory effect, which is attracting increasing interest in the potential regulation of the immune response and its use in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Material and Methods. A literature review has been conducted using databases such as PubMed. Particular attention was paid to the most recent years of publication.

Conclusions. Vitamin D supplementation in people with autoimmune disease can provide numerous benefits, such as paincontrol, fatigue reduction, lower disease activity scores, remission induction, and reduced need for other medications. According to many premises, the active form of vitamin D may be a useful parameter in monitoring inflammation, a therapeutic biomarker, and even an indicator of disease progression and treatment effectiveness. However, further researchis needed to assess the long-term effects and to gain a more complete understanding of the role, mechanisms ofaction and safety profile of vitamin D supplementation. Until more conclusive evidence is available, vitamin D should be considered only as a potentially helpful adjunct in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.