Vitamin D and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

(Educational only; not medical advice.)

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—commonly have low levels of vitamin D. Studies show that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is significantly lower in IBD patients than in healthy controls, and more than half of patients have insufficient levels.¹ Vitamin D appears to help regulate immune activity in the gut and may play a role in reducing intestinal inflammation.

Several clinical trials and reviews support the benefit of vitamin D supplementation for patients with IBD. A review of four supplementation studies found improvements in disease activity in all trials, with no major adverse effects.² Additional mechanistic and clinical evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency contributes to the development and severity of Crohn’s disease, and that supplementation may provide therapeutic benefit.³

Vitamin D status may also influence long-term outcomes. In a study of more than 2,800 individuals with IBD, patients with adequate vitamin D levels had a significantly lower risk of developing colon cancer compared with those who remained deficient.⁴

Bottom line

Vitamin D should not be viewed as a stand-alone treatment for IBD, but maintaining healthy levels may help reduce intestinal inflammation, support immune balance, and improve clinical outcomes. Checking a 25(OH)D level and working with doctors trained in natural healthcare to optimize vitamin D status can be a helpful part of a broader IBD care plan.

  1. Tangpricha V, Martin A, et al. Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2019 Sep 23;17(1):323.
  2. Journal of Crohns and Colitis (2012 May; 6(4):405-11) Vitamin D as a therapy for colitis: a systematic review
  3. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2018 Jan;175:23-28, Vitamin D deficiency and the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease
  4. Association Between Reduced Plasma Vitamin D and Increased Risk of Cancer in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2014 Jun;12(5):821–827.e1.