Vit D protects against colds, flu and viral infections

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Vitamin D protects against colds, flu and viral infections

Thursday, June 14, 2012 by:

http://www.naturalnews.com/036168_vitamin_D_flu_infections.html#ixzz1xnkrcaqt

(NaturalNews) Vitamin D is an essential cofactor in the prevention of a host

of conditions ranging from cancer to diabetes, dementia and cardiovascular

disease. The sunshine vitamin is a critical part of our evolution as it has

been circulating in our ancestral blood for countless generations due to

plentiful sun exposure. It has only been the past half-century that we have

lathered ourselves with sunscreen and hidden in buildings away from the

vitamin D producing effects of the sun, following the sage advice of doctors

and other misinformed medical professionals.

Vitamin D is rapidly emerging as one of the most researched natural

compounds demonstrated to promote human health. More evidence in support of

the prohormone is provided by researchers in Spain publishing the result of

their work in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Scientists have found that

insufficient levels of vitamin D are related to a deficiency in our innate

immune defenses that protect us from infections, neoplasias, or autoimmune

diseases, and can effectively shield us from the common cold and influenza

during winter months.

Vitamin D levels diminish with age, increasing risk for colds and influenza

To perform the analysis and gather data for this study, researchers compared

the changes in the blood levels of vitamin D among three groups of healthy

subjects: youth (aged 20 to 30), middle-aged (aged 31 to 59), and elderly

(aged 60 to 86). The scientists found decreased levels of vitamin D with

aging, likely due to decreased exposure to the sun and a decline in the

native ability of skin receptors to produce precursor levels of vitamin D,

commonly found among individuals above the age of 40.

The research team found that the level of circulating vitamin D in the blood

affected the toll-like receptor (TLR) expression measured on white blood

cell lymphocytes and monocytes. Specifically, they found that the TRL most

affected by a vitamin D insufficiency is TLR7, which regulates the immune

response against viruses. In many geographic regions, limited sun exposure

during darker winter months is closely associated with vitamin D deficiency

and increased risk for colds and influenza outbreaks.

The lead study author, Dr. Wherry concluded " This study shows that

sunlight, or more precisely the lack of vitamin D could have a role in the

seasonally higher rates of infection... since vitamin D supplements are

inexpensive and generally safe, this is a really exciting discovery. " It is

best not to rely on sun exposure or dietary sources to obtain vitamin D.

Most health-minded adults will want to supplement with an oil-based form of

Vitamin D3 (experts recommend starting with 5000 IU per day), and test twice

a year using the 25(OH)D blood test to confirm optimal levels above 50 ng/mL

to achieve optimal protection against colds, flu, and many viral infection

strains.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.jleukbio.org/content/91/5/829

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430105402.htm

http://www.nutraingredients.com