Solar Radiation and Vitamin D : Mitigating Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Disease

Abstract EN

This paper looks at the environmental role of vitamin D and solar radiation as risk reduction factors in autoimmune disease.

Five diseases are considered: multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease of the thyroid, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinical relevant studies and factors that may indicate evidence that autoimmune disease is a vitamin D-sensitive disease are presented.

Studies that have resulted in prevention or amelioration of some autoimmune disease are discussed.

An example of the utility of supplementing vitamin D in an unusual autoimmune disease, idiopathic thrombocytic purpura, is presented.