Vitamin D Supplements Can Help Prevent Colds And Flu, Study Says

A new landmark study from the Queen Mary University of London cites new evidence that Vitamin D supplements or pills can help prevent colds and flu. Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine” vitamin, is traditionally known for its role in improving bone health. Now, the study says that it is in fact very helpful in boosting the human immune system as well.

Vitamin D and Respiratory Tract Infections

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, reviewed individual participant data from several randomized controlled trials previously conducted. It assessed the overall effect of supplementation on the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections. After looking at data from more than 11,000 participants, it observed that those who took regular supplements were better protected against infection. In general however, all participants who took supplements did not get respiratory tract infections often.

Taking supplements on a daily or weekly basis had a better effect on non-infection, compared to those who took monthly doses of the vitamin. It also noted that people who were very deficient on the vitamin observed lesser respiratory tract infections after taking regular supplements.

No Sunshine? Take Vitamin D

Vitamin D naturally occurs in the body if one gets enough healthy exposure to sunshine. For countries in the Western hemisphere, winter poses a problem when it comes to getting enough sunshine. Thus, most people are likely to get sick during the cold winter. The introduction of supplements helped addressed this deficiency during winter.

With this study, the authors want to make a case for vitamin D fortification of food. Principal author Prof Adrian Martineau told BBC that “Vitamin D fortification of foods provides a steady, low-level intake of vitamin D that has virtually eliminated profound vitamin D deficiency in several countries.” The National Institute of Health Research in the United Kingdom also noted that the study’s findings were “worthy of serious further debate”.

In the Philippines, several vitamin D supplements are available in the market. Most of these are actually a combination of vitamins A, D and E.