Vitamin C has been the commonly used vitamin supplement to boost the immune system. A good dose of vitamin C was said to prevent colds and other respiratory ailments. The evidence however supporting vitamin C as immune booster is lacking (Center for the Advancement of Health. "Vitamin C Offers Little Protection Against Colds, Review Finds." ScienceDaily 18 July 2007. 24 February 2009). Vitamin D however, in the recent years has been accumulating evidence as an important player in the immune system.
Cold Suffers Were Found to Have Lower Levels of Vitamin D
A study found that people recovering from colds, flu and other respiratory infections had lower levels of vitamin D in their blood (Adit A. Ginde, Jonathan M. Mansbach, Carlos A. Camargo Jr., “Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey”. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009; 169 (4): 384 Abstract). The study results also showed that people with lower levels of vitamin D were 40 percent more likely to have respiratory related infections. The observations were made not only during the winter months when sunlight provided vitamin D was lacking but also during the summer months. People with chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were found to have lower levels of vitamin D all year round.
Decrease in Vitamin D Levels Related to Increase in Heart Diseases
Deaths related to heart disease increase dramatically (up 30 to 50 percent) during the colder winter months. In a recent study, the researchers associated the increase in heart disease with chronic vitamin D deficiency which is more prevalent during the winter months (Thomas Wang et al, “Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease”, Circulation. 2008; 117:503-511). The vitamin D deficiency is partly related to the lack of sunshine. The researchers went on to state that further studies needed to be undertaken to determine if correcting the vitamin D deficiency could help prevent cardiovascular disease.
The Answer May be in a Vitamin D Supplement
During the winter when there are lower levels of sunlight people tend to get more respiratory related illnesses. The reason has normally been associated with the close proximity of people as they spend more time indoors. The lack of sunlight however was always seen as a circumstantial evidence. The referenced studies however shed light on the possibility of a relationship between sunlight and respiratory infections and heart disease. Researchers in the Adit et. al study are hoping that pending clinical trials may further prove the vitamin D’s efficacy as an immune boosting nutrient. Increasing vitamin D through diet does not raise the vitamin levels to protective levels however, researchers are not yet ready to recommend vitamin D supplements as a treatment option. People with chronic respiratory infections should consider having their vitamin D levels monitored by their physicians.
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