Abstract

Role of vitamin D in asthma

Author(s): Elena Lewis and Thomas Casale

Asthma is a prevalent disease that leads to high morbidity and healthcare costs. The search for prevention and better treatment strategies is ongoing. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to occur commonly and is associated with poorer asthma control measures. As the understanding of the biological effects of vitamin D emerges, there appears to be strong evidence for an important role of vitamin D in the respiratory and immune systems. Discovering the complexities of the functions of vitamin D may extend the possibilities of vitamin D use to include prevention and/or treatment of asthma. This article explores what is known about vitamin D, and its known and potential role in asthma.