Georgia Dixon
Body

This vitamin could be the secret to stopping cold and flu

Vitamin D isn’t just good for promoting good bone health. According to a new study published in the British Medical Journal, taking a vitamin D supplement daily or weekly is as effective as the flu vaccine, cutting users’ chances of respiratory infection by 12 per cent.

And, with the effectiveness of sun-safe messages like “slip, slop, slap, and wrap” some experts worry that many of us are covering up to the point where we don’t get any sunshine on our skin.

The findings of the study support the observation that we’re most at risk of cold and flu during winter and spring, when our levels of vitamin D are running low.

“The bottom line is that the protective effects of vitamin D supplementation are strongest in those who have the lowest vitamin D levels and when supplementation is given daily or weekly rather than in more widely spaced doses,” lead researcher Professor Adrian Martineau of the Queen Mary University of London said.

Do you take a vitamin D supplement? Do you believe it’s had a positive impact on your immune system? Let us know in the comment section below.

Related links:

Foods for maintaining healthy eyes

The reason behind your sensitive teeth

Natural remedies for sinus relief

Tags:
health, vitamin D, cold, flu, Vaccine