Diet, immunity and inflammation: 9. Vitamin D and the immune system (Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition)

This chapter discusses the role of vitamin D in the regulation of the immune system. The epidemiology, biology and physiology of vitamin D in humans is described, followed by a detailed exposition of the actions of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D on immune cells. The chapter concludes that vitamin D appears to be important in immune function, but that at this time there is insufficient evidence on which to base clinical recommendations regarding supplementation.