Spring has sprung, the sun is out, flowers are in full bloom, and seasonal allergies have begun. As it turns out, getting your daily dose of vitamin D may actually reduce your allergy symptoms, but it can be tough to get enough from sunlight alone — especially if seasonal allergies have you hesitating to spend time outside. Read on to find out how the “sunshine vitamin” could have you soaking up rays without the fear of sneezing or congestion.

Vitamin D is undoubtedly an essential vitamin that supports so many different areas of our well-being, from energy levels to immune health and more. And according to new research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, there’s one group of people who may particularly benefit from upping their vitamin D levels, especially now that it’s springtime.

Studying how vitamin D impacts allergies & asthma

For this study, researchers wanted to dig into how vitamin D3 levels impact the inflammatory response in the body and how that response translated to allergies and asthma.

To do so, they looked at both children and adults, had them increase their vitamin D intake, and then assessed the participant’s cellular inflammatory response, as well as any subsequent symptoms.

Sure enough, when participants increased their vitamin D levels, they experienced fewer symptoms and less severe asthma overall. Further, the study authors note, certain cells showed that higher vitamin D levels translated to more blimp-1 (a protein that helps promote a healthy immune response from T-helper cells).

And of course, for the sake of quality research, one of the study’s co-authors replicated the study in mice and saw similar results. In fact, mice with increased vitamin D levels even showed fewer allergy-inducing antibodies that can exacerbate hay fever and eczema.

As the study authors write in their research, their results indicate that “vitamin D3 shifts pro-inflammatory immune responses to anti-inflammatory immune responses.”

What to do about it

The findings of this study offer yet another reason to ensure your vitamin D levels are up to snuff, and the good news is, it’s entirely possible to get your levels up to the healthy range.

A number of foods contain vitamin D, like shiitake and button mushrooms (which can actually be soaked in the sun to elevate their vitamin D levels, BTW), mackerel, sockeye salmon, cod liver oil, sardines, and eggs. But of course, even natural sunlight and vitamin D-rich foods often aren’t enough to get your levels where you want them. In fact, 41% of U.S. adults are vitamin D insufficient, and 29% are straight-up vitamin D deficient.

Given these stats, investing in a high-potency daily vitamin D supplement can help you reach (and sustain) vitamin D sufficiency and lessen the effects of seasonal allergies.

The takeaway

We know that vitamin D is crucial to our overall health, yet so many people are deficient. With so many different benefits to having sufficient vitamin D levels, consider this research one more reason to up your own.

Did you know — vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium, keeping your bones healthy and strong. Your chiropractor can advise you on nutrition and supplements that will best support your wellness goals. Email us at info@evolvevancouver.ca to book a consultation with one of our experienced chiropractors, or book online here.

Please note that any advice in this article doesn’t replace personalized medical advice from a professional.