Vitamin D Deficiency and Tuberculosis Risk: New Clinical Research

Recent research by Norah Tabsh (MS’24) explores the relationship between vitamin D status and susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB), highlighting a potential nutritional risk factor for one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases.

The article is based on Tabsh’s clinical master’s thesis, completed as part of the MS in Human Nutrition program. Her research was conducted in the Department of Endocrinology under the mentorship of Dr. John P. Bilezikian, a leading expert in metabolic bone disease.

Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge, and emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D—long recognized for its role in bone health—may also play a critical role in immune function. Tabsh’s work contributes to a growing body of research examining how vitamin D deficiency could influence TB infection risk, particularly in vulnerable populations.
To learn more, read the full article.