Vitamin D3 prevents relapse of Crohn's disease
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Dr. Gerard E. Mullin of the Johns Hopkins University school of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland reported a clinical trial in the Nutrition in Clinical Practice suggesting high doses of vitamin D help prevent the relapse of Crohn's disease.
Dr. Mullin et al. conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-control trial involving 92 patients with Crohn's disease, but in remission. Of the participants, 46 were given 1200 IU of vitamin D3 daily for 12 months and 48 patients received a placebo for the same period.
The researchers found the oral vitamin D3 supplement increased serum 25(OH)D from 69 nmol/L to 96 nmol/L in the patients in the study group and the relapse rate of Crohn's disease among the study group was 13 percent, compared to 29 percent among the controls.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease with symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, arthritis, skin problems, weight loss and fever in some cases.
The causes for the disease are not well understood. The treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone or steroids, immune system suppressors, infliximab, antibiotics, anti-diarrheal and fluid replacement, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Patients with Crohn's disease may want to exclude bulky grains, hot spices, alcohol, and dairy products to avoid symptoms such as diarrhea and cramping.
Vitamin D is known to have immune-regulatory functions and low vitamin D levels are commonly found in patients with Crohn's disease, according to the researchers.
David Liu, Ph.D.
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