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Updated: May 24, 2026
08:58
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
Vitamin D as a therapy for colitis: a systematic review
Imogen Nicholson1, A Mark Dalzell, Wael El-Matary
1Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
Journal of Crohn'S & Colitis
|March 9, 2012
Summary
Vitamin D supplementation shows potential for managing colitis, but more research is needed. High-quality trials are required to confirm vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D's role in immune function is under investigation.
- Colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are significant health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on vitamin D supplementation for colitis.
- To assess vitamin D as a potential therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.
Main Methods:
- Searched major databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, etc.) for relevant studies.
- Included human and animal studies in English.
- Manually searched reference lists of identified articles.
Main Results:
- Four studies were included in the review.
- All studies indicated improved disease activity with vitamin D.
- No significant adverse effects were reported; one human study showed a non-significant reduction in Crohn's disease relapse.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D may offer adjunctive benefits in colitis management.
- Current evidence is insufficient to recommend vitamin D for IBD treatment.
- High-quality, placebo-controlled trials are necessary to establish efficacy.
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