Ankylosing Spondylitis Diary and Diet Research

"The active hormone of Vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D)(1,25-D) performs a vital function in immune diseases, including Sarcoidosis. It causes hematopoetic-stem-cells to differentiate (grow) into monocytes, the basic White Blood Cell (leukocyte), and then it causes these to differentiate (grow) into the macrophages and giant cells characteristic of sarcoid granuloma[1,2]. Without this hormone there would be no formation of granuloma. The hormone is also responsible for maintaining proper operation of the ParaThyroid, Muscle, Pancreas, Bone, Intestine, Kidneys, Heart and the Brain [3]."

There is a hormone which allows the sarcoid granuloma to flourish. It is called 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. It is formed in the kidneys from 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the metabolite formed when our bodies take in Vitamin D from sunlight or from food. Although the 1,25 D hormone is normally manufactured in the kidneys, it is also manufactured in the granulomatous inflammation of Sarcoidosis.
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One way to stop high levels of this 1,25 D hormone from forming is to reduce the amount of Vitamin D that our bodies are taking in. This has to be done carefully, as our bodies need some Vitamin D to function properly. Nevertheless, the granuloma of sarcoidosis manufacture this hormone very vigorously, and so sarcoid patients are especially sensitive to sunlight and dietary Vitamin D.

The symptoms of fatigue, numbness, pain and cramping all go away after the level of the 1,25 D hormone has been brought back down to normal levels. Your doctor needs to measure the level of the 1,25 D hormone and make sure it doesn't fall too low.

What is a granuloma?
Sarcoidosis is characterized by the formation of small, granular inflammatory lesions (granulomas). The word "granuloma" comes from the Latin word "granum," meaning "grain" or "seed." Granulomas are characterized by a nodular appearance and a unique cellular pattern that can be seen through a microscope and can form on nearly any part of the body, internal or external. There are many different granulomatous diseases, from Crohn's disease to tuberculosis.

The cells that make up a granuloma are from the immune system. The immune system is the body's defense against disease and illness. Its major players are the macrophages and leukocytes, cells that originate in the bone marrow and travel through the lymphatic vessels to different areas of the body.

Macrophages are cells that attack foreign microbes by binding to and engulfing them. Macrophages secrete assorted biochemicals that affect the behavior of the surrounding cells. One of the types of biochemicals that they secrete, for example, are the cytokines, which cause inflammation. This is why an infected area becomes inflamed.

Lymphocytes are smaller immune cells that are inactive until they encounter an antigen (a foreign molecule) that they specifically recognize. They then start to secrete antibodies to fight the attacker. The two most common types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells. The antibodies they secrete are known as immunoglobulins (Ig).

When foreign particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, chemical toxins) resist the action of macrophages, the macrophages attack the resistant particle and form the characteristic cellular pattern known as a granuloma. The granuloma is a cluster of a variety of cells that forms a discrete nodule. The multinucleated giant cell is characteristic of the granuloma. The giant cell is made up of many macrophages that fuse together and is seen in the central region of the granuloma. Many macrophages surround the giant cells and are called epitheliod cells. The central part of the granuloma is surrounded by layers of T cells. Granulomas can be easily seen and identified through a microscope.