title: Inflammation and vitamin D: the infection connection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammation is believed to be a contributing factor to many chronic diseases. The influence of vitamin D deficiency on inflammation is being explored but studies have not demonstrated a causative effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Low serum 25(OH)D is also found in healthy persons exposed to adequate sunlight. Despite increased vitamin D supplementation inflammatory diseases are increasing. The current method of determining vitamin D status may be at fault. The level of 25(OH)D does not always reflect the level of 1,25(OH)2D. Assessment of both metabolites often reveals elevated 1,25(OH)2D, indicating abnormal vitamin D endocrine function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This article reviews vitamin D's influence on the immune system, examines the myths regarding vitamin D photosynthesis, discusses ways to accurately assess vitamin D status, describes the risks of supplementation, explains the effect of persistent infection on vitamin D metabolism and presents a novel immunotherapy which provides evidence of an infection connection to inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some authorities now believe that low 25(OH)D is a consequence of chronic inflammation rather than the cause. Research points to a bacterial etiology pathogenesis for an inflammatory disease process which results in high 1,25(OH)2D and low 25(OH)D. Immunotherapy, directed at eradicating persistent intracellular pathogens, corrects dysregulated vitamin D metabolism and resolves inflammatory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Chronic Illness Recovery, Fort Worth, Texas, USA, info@chronicillnessrecovery.org.
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangin
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fincher
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000276:immunology; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D007093:Imidazoles; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D013777:Tetrazoles; D014807:Vitamin D; C437965:olmesartan