Vitamin D Levels and Flu Risk

Is there an association between vitamin D levels and Flu Risk?

                           

YES!  According to a recent report in the Journal of Pediatrics, there is a decrease in the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections in children who are supplemented with vitamin D.                                         

The optimum level of supplementation for children is between 1,000 to 5,000 IU's daily.

Another study shows low vitamin D levels associated with illness as well.  Vitamin D-deficient subjects were 36 percent more likely to report an upper respiratory infection than those with higher levels. That rate jumped significantly for those with asthma.

The optimum level of vitamin d supplementation for adults is 5,000 IU'S daily.

A recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) suggests no benefit from taking vitamin D for prevention of flu.  This study is flawed according to many doctors since the subjects were not deficient in vitamin d prior to the study and they were given a megadose of vitamin D only once during the month.  People who are deficient in vitamin D are the ones who benefit from the additional vitamin D  supplementation.  

Over forty percent of adults are vitamin D deficient, and over twenty percent of children are as well.

Vitamin d levels and flu risk is a very real problem.  Make sure your children get tested for their levels and for you as well.  If you are deficient, make sure you take the proper amount of D!  It can save you from getting the flu this season!

If you have questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you!