Studies show that lower levels of vitamin D correspond with weaker immune systems. When vitamin D activates within the body, a chemical known as cathelicidin is produced which has antimicrobial properties, thus killing bacteria and viruses. This is like having your own internal pharmacy, dispensing antibiotic and antiviral medications on your behalf! Our entire immune system contains vitamin D receptors, so when our blood levels are adequate, these receptors fill and a stronger immune system results. Vitamin K2 also appears beneficial in overall immune regulation in clinical trials, but the reason is unknown.
Studies have also shown that individuals with overactive immune systems, such as the case with any autoimmune disease, have lower levels of vitamin D than people without such a diagnosis. Our immune systems require a delicate balance. When they aren’t strong enough, our bodies are at risk of contracting any infection that comes along. When they are overactive, they begin to see our own bodies as the enemy, and they attack our own healthy cells and autoimmune diseases emerge. One study indicated that vitamin D helps to regulate our immune system, telling it what to do and how. A deficiency contributes to the immune response weakening or even attacking cells that aren’t a danger to our health.
Supplementation of D3 and K2 helps provide the body with two critical components for our overall immune health. It’s like having a fully staffed pharmacy, working on your behalf. When these two vitamins are deficient, other parts of the immune system have to work overtime and the system gets weaker, allowing a sickness to take over and before you know it, you're in bed with a fever and chills. In other people, deficiency may lead to the immune system going in the other direction and mounting an attack on its own body. Either way, immune health is compromised and illness begins. The best course of action is to have your levels checked from time to time and maintain levels of 25(OH)D at 50nmol/L or higher for optimal immune health.