A recently published article in the Philadelphia Inquirer states that according to researchers in Boston & Denver who published a study, now found in  the 'Archives of Internal Medicine’, vitamin D, not C, may help prevent infections such as the common cold.

Vitamin D has been known to help assimilate calcium, which is necessary to maintain strong bones. Vitamin D is naturally 'activated' by the sun. In humans, its formed by the sunlight on sterols in the skin. Vitamin D prevents rickets and osteoporosis.
 
The study compared blood levels of 18,883 participants in a national survey. It suggests that the amount of sunlight that reaches the skin, triggering  Vitamin D production, may be inadequate in northern latitudes from the months of November to March, (prime cold seasons).

Findings are as follows:

• Compared to people with 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL or more- those with less than 10 ng/mL of Vitamin D were 55% more likely to have had a recent cold.

• Those with  30-40 ng/mL levels between age 10 & 30 were 27% more likely to have had a cold. The differences were greater in winter and amongst asthmatics.

The current U.S. recommendations for Vitamin D are  200-600 IU per day, which according to these researchers are not adequate, and wont give optimal results. Vitamin D is found in fish-liver oils, and added to margarine, milk,  and cereals.


In regards to this article particularly, I would suggest that one eats a sensible and nutritious meal daily, and take a multi-v.
 
Going out to purchase over 600 IU of Vitamin D isn't necessary, but it wouldn't hurt to have it in optimal amounts.   Too much of a good thing can be hazardous, however. 

Because the body cannot rid itself of it by excretion, high intakes can cause a toxic reaction such as fatigue, nausea, and abnormal calcium deposits.

If you'd like to read more of my articles on diet and nutrition, please click here

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