Low Vitamin D levels linked to rapid progression of emphysema

A new study from Korea has found that severe Vitamin D deficiency in male patients with respiratory and obstructive lung conditions was associated with a more rapid progression of emphysema.

151 male subjects with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were divided into four study groups based on the severity of their Vitamin D deficiency: sufficient, mild, moderate and severe. The study, published in Respiratory Medicine in January of this year, found that the, “…annual increase in emphysema index was more prominent in the severe deficiency group (1.34% per year) than in the other groups (0.41% per year) (p = 0.003).”

The study echoes a clinical review conducted by researchers from Queen Mary University of London in 2019, which found that increasing Vitamin D levels of patients with COPD leads to a 45 per cent reduction in lung attacks.

Similar to the Korean study the UK review found that the most noticeable improvement to health outcomes was associated with those first presenting with very low Vitamin D levels. Significant health improvements were not observed in those study participants whose Vitamin D levels were already adequate.

COPD covers a range of lung and respiratory conditions associated with long term breathing problems and includes chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Vitamin D can by found at pharmacies and health food shops however most commercial vitamin companies typically produce it in doses of 1000IU. A fully licensed compounding chemist, such as National Custom Compounding can make up doses of much higher strength – up to 10000IU.

Vitamin D overdoses are rare but they can occur when taking high strength supplements, so it’s important to have your vitamin D levels tested and monitored by a health professional before starting a Vitamin D supplement program. An integrative doctor or other qualified health professional can test Vitamin D levels with a simple blood test.

For more information contact one of the friendly team from National Custom Compounding on 1300 731 755 or [email protected].