Vitamin D linked to improved pulmonary function

Higher blood levels of vitamin D are associated with improved lung function, according to a study published in Chest (128, 6: 3792-98, 2005).

Researchers from the University of Auckland used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a cross-sectional survey of U.S. civilians conducted from 1988 to 1994, to examine the relationship between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D and pulmonary function. Of 14,091 individuals who were 20 years of age or more, had been interviewed at mobile examination centers, had undergone spirometry, and in whom serum vitamin D levels had been measured, those with higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with improved lung function, including greater forced expiratory volume (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) . These results were not affected by factors including physical activity, intake of vitamin D supplements, milk intake and serum antioxidant levels.

The researchers concluded there is a strong relationship between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, FEV, and FVC and called for further studies to determine whether supplementation with vitamin D is beneficial to patients with respiratory disease.