Close X
Saturday, November 30, 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

Smokers on high-salt diet at rheumatoid arthritis risk

Smokers on high-salt diet at rheumatoid arthritis risk
If you are a smoker and love to eat a high-salt diet, you may be at a greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), researchers say....

Smokers on high-salt diet at rheumatoid arthritis risk

'Electronic skin' to better detect breast cancer

Detecting breast cancer at an early stage is crucial to saving many lives and it can now become a lot easier as researchers have developed an "electronic...

'Electronic skin' to better detect breast cancer

Cyber-bullying in kids increases with age

Cyber-bullying in kids increases with age
Bullying increases as students graduate from elementary to middle school and, overall, girls are more likely to experience verbal/relational and...

Cyber-bullying in kids increases with age

How to kill back pain during sex

How to kill back pain during sex
Is back pain affecting your sex life? Now, get to know why certain positions are better than others when it comes to avoiding back pain between the sheets....

How to kill back pain during sex

App to track dietary data, helps lose weight

App to track dietary data, helps lose weight
If you plan to lose weight, some apps can do the job for you more efficiently by reliably tracking dietary data and preparing what suits your body the most, say researchers....

App to track dietary data, helps lose weight

Smoking fathers put future babies at asthma risk

Smoking fathers put future babies at asthma risk
"It is important to know how a father's smoking habit pre-conception can affect the respiratory health of his children," said Dr. Cecile Svanes from the...

Smoking fathers put future babies at asthma risk