Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D is used to support or treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) primarily based on scientific interest and emerging evidence, rather than longstanding tradition. Several studies have explored the relationship between vitamin D and autoimmune diseases, including RA. Vitamin D is known to play a role in immune system regulation, and deficiency has been observed more frequently in patients with RA compared to the general population. Some observational studies suggest that lower levels of vitamin D may be associated with increased disease activity and severity in RA patients.

However, the evidence for vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic intervention for RA is limited and not yet conclusive. Randomized controlled trials have produced mixed results: some indicate modest benefits in reducing disease activity or improving symptoms, while others show no significant effect compared to placebo. A 2021 systematic review concluded that while vitamin D supplementation may improve serum vitamin D levels in RA patients, its impact on disease activity, pain, and functional status remains uncertain.

Major rheumatology guidelines currently recommend correcting vitamin D deficiency in RA patients for overall bone health, especially given the increased risk of osteoporosis in this population, rather than for direct control of RA disease activity. In summary, there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence for vitamin D’s supportive use in RA, but robust scientific validation for its effectiveness as a primary treatment is lacking.

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Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis