Gastrointestinal health experts at the Boston University School of Medicine have found that Crohn’s disease, a chronic digestive condition, may prevent the body from absorbing vitamin D, a nutrient crucial for maintaining bone health.

Their results appeared in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD).

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects stomach and intestines but whose symptoms can also affect the skin, eyes and joints. Individuals afflicted with the disorder often have irritable bowels, skin rashes, achy joints, abdominal pain and fatigue.

Statistics published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology suggest that between 9 and 21 of every 100,000 Americans have Crohn’s disease.

In the IBD, researchers found that gastric inflammation caused by the disease appears to prevent the body from absorbing vitamin D.

They suggested that patients with the disorder take daily vitamin supplements in order to try to mitigate vitamin deficiency.

In addition to potentially alleviating complications of Crohn’s disease, vitamin D supplements may improve bone and joint health. Studies have also shown that regular doses of vitamin D and calcium can significantly reduce the severity of osteoporosis.