How sunshine and vitamin D may be linked to food allergy

Monday, 09 August 2010 13:44

Previous studies have suggested the increasing prevalence of childhood food allergy may be linked to vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight. A recent paper in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology details possible mechanisms underlying this linkage.

The authors suggest that vitamin D deficiency in a developmentally critical period increases susceptibility to colonization with abnormal intestinal microbial flora and gastrointestinal infections. This in turn contributes to abnormal intestinal barrier permeability plus excess and inappropriate exposure of the immune system to dietary allergens. They also believe the vitamin D deficient state promotes an immune imbalance which further increases the risk of sensitisation to certain proteins in foods.

It is suggested that early correction of vitamin D deficiency could reverse the trend of rising food allergy prevalence by promoting mucosal immunity and healthy microbial ecology leading to allergen tolerance.

Reference: Vassallo et al. 2010. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2010.06.011