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Autoimmune diseases remain some of the most difficult to prevent and treat of all common conditions. For the 80 or so disorders -- from alopecia causing hair loss to rheumatoid arthritis causing foot pain -- there are no known cures. Fortunately, newer medications can often effectively control symptoms or slow progression.

But wouldn't it be good to understand what might cause them in the first place and what could help prevent them from developing?

According to Cleveland Clinic physicians, some medications, a family history, smoking, exposure to toxins, obesity and infections may increase your risk. So does being female -- 78% of people with an autoimmune condition are female. And it turns out that a vitamin D deficiency may promote autoimmune diseases. One study in the journal Biomolecules highlighted the association of vitamin D deficiency with everything from lupus to Sjogren's syndrome and psoriatic arthritis.

Now, a new study explains that taking vitamin D supplements can help protect you from developing an autoimmune condition. The Autoimmune Disease Prevention study enrolled folks ages 65 and older and found that when women 55 and older and men 50 and older took 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, they reduced their risk of developing any autoimmune disease by 22%. Plus, taking 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fish oil daily reduced the risk by 15%. We think it's smart to take both!

For more info on how to maintain a healthy immune system, sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com and read "Immunity 101 -- How it Works + Practices to Bolster our Body's Defenses" at iHerb.com/blog.

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).

(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.