vitamin D is important to our overall health, and scientists have now made some remarkable discoveries about how deficiencies early in life can cause problems with the body’s immune system. I am.
Researchers at McGill University in Canada used a combination of analytical techniques to closely examine mice that had been genetically engineered to not naturally produce vitamin D.
They are thymus gland – A tiny organ that trains our immune system – These mice age faster and become infested with self-attacking immune cells.
we know that the thymus has important role We also know about vitamin D, which teaches our body’s T-cell defenses not to attack healthy cells. closely related Also in this process. Their biological relationship is now more clear.
“Our findings shed new light on this association and may lead to new strategies to prevent autoimmune diseases.” say John White, a physiologist at McGill University.
Mice that couldn’t produce vitamin D ended up with smaller thymus glands and fewer cells. The organs also showed biological signs of premature aging, with reduced levels of key autoimmune regulators.
This study shows how vitamin D deficiency reduces defenses against autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the body mistakenly attacks its own cells, causing health complications.
“Ageing of the thymus causes a leaky immune system” say white. “This means the thymus becomes less effective at filtering out immune cells that can mistakenly attack healthy tissue, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.”
based on previous researchexperts believe that it is especially important for children that the most important T cell training in the thymus takes place. 20 years old. As we age, the benefits of vitamin D become more pronounced, at least in this regard. It doesn’t seem very clear.
Therefore, these findings are particularly important for young people. Although this has so far only been shown in mice, our thymus gland functions similarly, so there is good reason to believe that the same biological process takes place in humans.
Researchers are already planning to investigate how vitamin D affects the human thymus gland, something that has not been studied before.
Although there is still debate about the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements, the general consensus is that vitamin D supplements are beneficial. if Individuals are deficient in certain areas of health.
We now know that missing out on this important vitamin, perhaps due to a lack of daily sunlight, can actually put our immune systems at a disadvantage from early childhood.
“If you have young children, it’s important to talk to your health care provider to make sure they’re getting enough.” say white.
This research scientific progress.
