Why Asthma Is an Ever-Growing Problem

Have you noticed that we seem to be seeing an ever-increasing incidence of asthma, especially severe asthma, these days?

It’s a concerning problem that I’ve had to deal with a lot. After treating so many asthma patients, I began to wonder if it could have anything to do with a vitamin deficiency.

A recent review article on the subject says yes.

The authors note that, “Approximately 5-15% of asthmatic individuals suffer from the more severe forms of disease in spite of aggressive therapies.” Their evidence suggests the problem is very real.

They then go on to suggest that there’s “epidemiological evidence supporting a role of vitamin D against hallmark features of severe asthma, such as airway remodeling and asthma exacerbations.”

Their research and the subsequent review article discuss various animal studies showing a number of “potential mechanisms” describing “how vitamin D deficiency may lead to the development of severe asthma,” and how taking enough vitamin D “can protect against the development of severe asthma.”

For instance: In 2012, a study showed that asthmatic children with lower vitamin D levels have poorer lung function. And there’s more.

Researchers in Tel Aviv looked at the medical records of 21,237 men and women between the ages of 22-50 who had asthma. Then they measured their vitamin D levels. The results, which were published in the journal Allergy, revealed that asthmatics who had low vitamin D levels were 25% more likely to have an asthma attack than those whose vitamin D levels were normal. But here’s the thing.

Another study found just the opposite. In this study, 408 adults with asthma and below normal levels of vitamin D were either given a placebo or 4,000 units per day of vitamin D. The study went on for six months and showed no benefit from the supplements. So why the discrepancy? I can think of two reasons.

One, for many people, 4,000 units of vitamin D is just not enough to make a difference. And two, maybe the reason that asthmatics with higher vitamin D levels do so much better is not just because their levels are higher. It might be because they get more sunlight. Sunlight increases vitamin D levels, but it also has other very positive effects on the immune system that have nothing to do with vitamin D. So here’s my advice for all of you who have asthma.

First, make sure you take enough vitamin D to get your levels between 50-70 ng/ml. And then get as much sunlight as you can. And only use sunglasses and sunscreen when you need them. They diminish the positive effects of sunlight.