How Vitamin D Deficiency Affects Gut Health? All You Need To Know

One of the most crucial roles of vitamin D in digestion is its ability to help the body absorb calcium through the intestinal lining.

Vitamin D is commonly associated with bone strength, but its role in digestive health is equally important. Beyond its role in calcium absorption and maintaining strong bones and teeth, vitamin D plays a key role in gut health by influencing the gut bacteria, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and regulating inflammation—all of which are vital for a healthy digestive system.

One of the most crucial roles of vitamin D in digestion is its ability to help the body absorb calcium through the intestinal lining. Dr Sarada Pasangulapati, Consultant Medical Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Yashoda Hospital explains that without adequate vitamin D, calcium cannot be effectively absorbed, potentially leading to weakened bones. But more than that, vitamin D helps keep the intestinal lining intact, supporting the “tight junctions” between gut cells and reducing the risk of leaky gut syndrome, where harmful substances escape from the gut into the bloodstream.

“Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels is particularly important for individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as the vitamin helps control inflammation and supports immune regulation in the gut,” says Dr Pasangulapati. Deficiency in vitamin D not only affects calcium absorption but is also linked to imbalances in the gut bacteria, which may contribute to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases.

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