Vitamin D and Shingles: Key Connection Explained

April 8, 2025

Health concerns, Nervous system health, Nutrition, Vitamins

Shingles is a widespread viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, and an acute shingles outbreak often leads to a painful rash accompanied by irritating blisters or lesions.

Vitamin D plays a role in supporting overall immune function, and exploring its relationship with the varicella-zoster virus may offer insight into approaches for managing or preventing shingles.

Discover the link between vitamin D and shingles and learn how to maintain optimal vitamin D levels through sun exposure and diet to reduce the risk of viral infections.

What is shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful viral infection triggered by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same viral species responsible for chickenpox.

While most people recover from chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus typically remains in the body, staying dormant in nerve cells. Under certain conditions, such as aging, stress, injury, or weakened immune defenses, the virus can reactivate and trigger shingles.

A shingles outbreak is characterized by a painful, blistering rash that typically appears on one side of the body along major nerve pathways. The pain, often severe, may persist even after the rash heals, a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.

Common symptoms of shingles include:

Sharp or burning pain
Aching or throbbing discomfort
Tingling or prickling sensations
Itching
Localized numbness
Hypersensitivity to touch
Fluid-filled blisters
Open sores
Discolored patches of skin
Brown or maroon plaque-like lesions

Shingles isn’t contagious, but the varicella-zoster virus can infect those who haven’t had chickenpox through contact with fluid from shingles blisters or inhaling airborne virus particles.

While chickenpox is usually mild in childhood, adults who contract the virus are at a higher risk for more severe complications. As age increases, so does the potential for serious health issues.

Maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding contact with vulnerable individuals is essential until the infection fully clears.

Watch the video below to learn how to manage shingles naturally.

Role of vitamin D in the immune system

Vitamin D is crucial in regulating immune responses and supporting the body’s defense against microbial infections.

This fat-soluble vitamin has been found to directly activate immune cells, such as macrophages, to produce antimicrobial peptides that directly combat pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

Moreover, evidence published in Medical Hypotheses shows that vitamin D can modulate the production of cytokines, a group of proteins crucial for regulating immune system functions.¹

This can help ensure that immune responses are robust enough to fight microbial infections without causing excessive inflammation or dysregulated immune cell activity, which could worsen infection symptoms.

Additionally, research published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry shows that vitamin D significantly impacts autophagy, the body’s natural process of eliminating and recycling old and damaged cellular material.²

Autophagy is essential for immune cell renewal and helps remove harmful intracellular pathogens and debris that can interfere with healthy cellular function.

The researchers summarize, “Vitamin D induces autophagy as a protective mechanism to inhibit oxidative stress and apoptosis to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune modulation.”

Low vitamin D and shingles risk

Vitamin D deficiency can significantly compromise immune functions, making those with inadequate levels more vulnerable to viral infections such as shingles.

A study published in Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders highlights vitamin D’s role in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses by supporting immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, in detecting and responding to viral threats.³

Without adequate vitamin D concentrations, these immune cells may struggle to effectively detect and eliminate viruses, increasing the likelihood of viral replication, reactivation, and infection.

Other potential risk factors

In addition to vitamin D insufficiency, there are various other factors that can increase the risk of shingles.

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives investigated the link between environmental exposures and immune system suppression linked to viral diseases.⁴

The study found that exposure to pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals can impair immune function and increase the risk of herpes zoster outbreaks in exposed populations.

Additional risk factors that may contribute to shingles include:

Age
Certain medications
Chronic stress
Physical trauma
Radiation exposure
Severe sunburn
Compromised immune function
Autoimmune conditions
Poor dietary habits

Best sources of vitamin D

Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is crucial for supporting immune health and may help reduce the risk of shingles infections and outbreaks.

While sunlight exposure is one of the most efficient ways to boost vitamin D, overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can potentially trigger or exacerbate a shingles outbreak, particularly if your immune system is compromised.

Therefore, a combination of moderate sun exposure and whole food sources may be most effective in maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.

Wild-caught fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines, cod liver, egg yolks, beef liver, and other organ meats, are excellent food sources of vitamin D.

More potential shingles remedies

While managing shingles can be challenging, there are several steps you can take to help reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks and support the body’s healing processes.

“Addressing nutritional deficiencies and reducing inflammation is key to supporting immune health,” explains Dr. Berg, “The more you support your immune system naturally, the better your body can defend itself against viral infections.”

Here are three ways to naturally strengthen immune defenses.

1. Practice intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between set periods of eating and fasting.

By reducing meal frequency, fasting allows the digestive system to rest and promotes the activation of regenerative autophagy. This can promote robust immune defenses, potentially help suppress shingles outbreaks, and accelerate recovery.

A study published in Molecular Cancer notes, “Autophagy is an important regulator of immune responses by sustaining homeostasis, activation, and biological functions of immune cells.”⁵

Additionally, fasting supports the body’s ability to regulate inflammation, which is crucial for managing viral infections such as shingles.

2. Prioritize vitamin C-rich foods

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant critical in the body’s defense against microbial infections, including shingles.

This essential nutrient supports the production of white blood cells, enhances antiviral immune responses, and helps reduce oxidative stress, which can worsen infections and associated symptoms.

Vitamin C is also vital for the synthesis of collagen, a critical component for repairing damaged tissues and supporting overall skin health during recovery after a shingles outbreak.

A study published in Medical Science Monitor found that vitamin C intake may help reduce shingles-related discomfort and has shown potential to lower the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia.⁶

Sauerkraut, red bell peppers, cruciferous vegetables, lemons, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and leafy greens are all excellent natural sources of vitamin C.

3. Incorporate dietary sources of L-lysine

L-lysine is an essential amino acid that has shown the potential to slow down the replication of viruses, particularly those in the herpes family, including varicella-zoster.

Lysine exerts its potent antiviral effects by blocking the uptake of an amino acid called arginine, which viruses require for replication.

According to research published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, maintaining the proper ratio of lysine to arginine in the diet can play an essential role in viral control.⁷

The study suggests increasing L-lysine intake while reducing arginine-rich foods, such as peanuts, cashews, almonds, granola, and chocolate, can help prevent infections.

Foods such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, seeds, and nuts are excellent sources of L-lysine and should be regularly consumed to reduce the risk of shingles.

Key takeaways

Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which remains dormant in the body after a chickenpox infection.

The connection between vitamin D and shingles centers on vitamin D’s role in regulating immune responses, and a deficiency may increase the risk of viral reactivation and shingles outbreaks.

In addition to maintaining optimal vitamin D levels through moderate sunlight exposure, practicing intermittent fasting and including plenty of vitamin C and L-lysine-rich foods may help manage shingles-related discomfort.

FAQ

1. What vitamin deficiency can cause shingles?

Low serum vitamin D levels can weaken the immune system and potentially allow the varicella-zoster virus to reactivate, which triggers a shingles outbreak.

2. What should I avoid if I have shingles?

It’s crucial to avoid factors that suppress immune functions, such as stress, poor sleep, and processed foods, if you have shingles.

In addition, it’s recommended to limit arginine-rich foods, like nuts and chocolate, which can trigger viral replication of the varicella-zoster virus.

3. How do I boost my immune system after shingles?

You can boost your immune system by maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through sunlight exposure, moderate exercise, and incorporating nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C and the amino acid L-lysine.

In addition, intermittent fasting supports balanced inflammatory responses and promotes autophagy, which can support immune health, cellular renewal, and recovery.

4. What aggravates shingles?

Factors such as stress, a weakened immune system, poor diet, lack of adequate sleep, foods high in arginine, and injury can trigger and aggravate shingles.

5. What’s the connection between vitamin D and shingles?

Vitamin D supports the immune system by binding to the vitamin D receptor of immune cells and helping to regulate essential immune responses, such as increasing antimicrobial peptide gene expression.

6. Can vitamin D help with other conditions?

Yes, maintaining optimal vitamin D levels supports immune function and has shown the potential to reduce the risk of various microbial infections, including influenza, tuberculosis, and acute respiratory infections.

In addition, optimal vitamin D stores may be especially beneficial for promoting strong immune defenses in those with autoimmune diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV).