Cholesterol is needed to produce both Vitamin D and Cortisol
Wikipedia – Cortisol
It is released in response to stress
It is synthesized from cholesterol
It suppresses the immune system by "muting" the white blood cells
It also decreases bone formation
The role of vitamin D deficiency in thyroid disorders Healthy Skeptic Aug 2010
When the body is in an active stress response, most of the cholesterol is used to make cortisol and not enough is left over for vitamin D production.
Hypothesis: High stress results in
Increased Cortisol
Reduced immune system and
Reduced Cholesterol
Reduced Vitamin D production from skin and bio-availability from gut (see reference below)
- Reduced Immune System (for a second reason)