Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
Health & Fitness

Study finds Vitamin D effective for reducing flu and colds

Darpan News Desk, 14 Mar, 2017 04:34 PM
  • Study finds Vitamin D effective for reducing flu and colds
People who boost their vitamin D levels with supplements reduce their risk of respiratory tract infections, such as the flu, by up to 12%, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis study of 25 randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies published recently in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
 
The study reported that this equates to one person being spared a respiratory tract infection (RTI) for every 33 taking vitamin D supplements. The benefit is greater in those receiving daily or weekly vitamin D versus bolus or monthly dosing, with the number needed to treat dropping to 20. The impact in Canada, based on a population of 35 million people, shows vitamin D could spare 1.75 million people having one RTI per year.
 
“The results are likely to change the cost/benefit analysis relating to fortification of foods with vitamin D significantly,” said Adrian Martineau, clinical professor of respiratory infection and immunity at Queen Mary University of London.
 
This new study found:
 
• 12% reduction of respiratory tract infections based on all studies and all dosing regimens
• 19% reduction of respiratory tract infections for those receiving daily or weekly vitamin D doses
• No statistically significant effect on risk of respiratory tract infections for those receiving bolus or monthly dosing
• 70% reduction in respiratory tract infections for those with low vitamin D blood levels below 25 nmol/L and receiving weekly or daily dosing of vitamin D
 
In Canada, 35% of people or approximately 12 million people have vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L. This increases to 40% in winter. More than 50 vitamin D scientists recommend that you reach a vitamin D blood level of between 100-150 nmol/L for optimal health.
 
“This study proves that by increasing your vitamin D blood levels through daily intake you could significantly prevent flu, colds and other respiratory infections,” said Perry Holman, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Society. “One of the reasons we have more flu and colds in the winter is due to the lack of UVB sun exposure and the resulting lower vitamin D levels.”
 

MORE Health & Fitness ARTICLES

How to create the perfect sleep environment

How to create the perfect sleep environment
A good night's sleep is vital for your health and well being. From keeping away distractions from your bedroom to maintaining the right temperature, an expert...

How to create the perfect sleep environment

Let your mind wander to boost mental performance

Let your mind wander to boost mental performance
Engaging brain areas linked to so-called "off-task" mental activities such as mind-wandering and looking back at good times can actually boost performance....

Let your mind wander to boost mental performance

How body regulates weight loss

How body regulates weight loss
A hormone seen as a popular target to develop weight-loss drugs works by directly targeting the brain and triggering previously unknown activity in the nervous...

How body regulates weight loss

How to avoid weight gain this festive season

How to avoid weight gain this festive season
Worried about weight gain during festive season? Here are some healthy tips to bail you out....

How to avoid weight gain this festive season

Non-smokers face major health risks in smoking homes

Non-smokers face major health risks in smoking homes
Living with smokers is as bad as living in smoke-free homes in heavily polluted cities such as Beijing or London, researchers said....

Non-smokers face major health risks in smoking homes

Brain chooses high-calorie food for you

Brain chooses high-calorie food for you
Choosing what you eat is not simply a matter of taste. As you glance over a menu, your brain is making decisions based more on a food's calorific content, a study showed...

Brain chooses high-calorie food for you