By Janet Shapan
New studies suggest that simply taking vitamin d may be almost as effective as the yearly recommended vaccination.
The conclusion of a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was that appropriate levels of vitamin d is just as effective as a seasonal flu vaccination.
Over a year of observing children in the study showed that only 10% of the children taking vitamin d contracted the flu virus while 19% of the children taking a placebo came down with the flu with no side effects.
Another insight from this study was that children with asthma who received the vitamin d supplement experienced fewer asthma related problems and needed less medication.
The annual risks and impact of the seasonal flu has proven to be unpredictable by most authorities. In some years, it is worse than expected while in other years, flu cases are mild.
Nevertheless, the health dangers associate with the flu cannot be disregarded, since estimates show roughly 36,000 flu related deaths annually with another 200,000 people visiting the hospital with flu related symptoms.
When the annual recommended vaccine matches well to the seasonal flu virus, the flu can be reduced by more than 50%, but when the match is poor the typical protection is severely diminished.
The battle against raging viruses has been with us for thousands of years and will likely continue and studies are confirming that one of nature’s best weapons against dangerous viruses is a high quality vitamin d supplement.
Vitamin D is really a harmone that is created in our bodies as a result of direct sunlight on our skin. That is why it is often referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin. The bodily process of creating vitamin d appears to strengthen the immune resources of the body and the actual peptides produced in the body are toxic to the flu virus.
It all begins to make sense. When the sun exposure is lowest during the winter months, the seasonal flu rages but almost disappears during the summer months when our exposure to sunlight is the highest.
In today’s world, more people including children are involved with indoor activities that further limit the body’s ability to generate the natural vitamin d. And when you add the common use of sunscreen that blocks the needed sunlight, you find a population with consistent vitamin d deficiency.
The Institute of Medicine suggests a daily dose of 400 IU for people in the age range of 51 to 70 and increasing the dosage to 600IU if you are older than 70. The upper limit is considered 2000IU by the Institute.
However, more and more medical professionals consider 4000 IU to 5000 IU appropriate daily intakes for adults especially people with light skin.
While the debates continue, people should be sure to have vitamin D as a core part of their daily supplement regime to enhance personal bone strength, durability and physical functioning throughout life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Getting the right vitamin D in you diet is critical to overall health and happiness; Janet Shapan, publisher, writer and media designer has assembled the most current research and the best vitamin D sources to take care of all your vitamin D needs. Get the facts: http://vitamind-supplements.com or http://vitamindcancer.com
Leave a Reply