Investigators from Ireland have published results of an observational study (n=957) conducted in hypertensive adults >60 years of age in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism which clearly links low levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] with several markers of inflammation, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).Inflammatory biomarkers were significantly higher when vitamin D levels were <25 nmol/L as compared to >75 nmol/L.

The need for further trials was emphasized and many await the anticipated June 2016 results of the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) which is a randomized clinical trial looking at hard cardiovascular disease outcomes related to the role of vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation.

Reference: Laird E, McNulty H, Ward M, et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation in older Irish adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:1807-1815. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-3507