In the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, researchers at National Jewish Health found that low levels of vitamin D are associated with lower lung function and greater medication use in children with asthma. They also reported that vitamin D enhances the activity of corticosteroids, the most effective controller medication for asthma. The study suggests that lower vitamin D levels contribute to increasing asthma severity, which requires more corticosteroid therapy and that vitamin D directly affects steroid activity, and that low levels of vitamin D make the steroids less effective, thus requiring more medication for the same effect. Conversely, they observed that vitamin D may help asthma patients achieve better control of their respiratory symptoms with less medication. To read the full text of the article, click here.