Vitamin D Can Protect Against H1N1swine flu virus

Studies have been undertaken by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) along with researchers from various institutions and hospitals to investigate the premise that taking vitamin D could protect against infection from the potentially dangerous virus of H1N1 Swine Flu. The study seeks to resolve whether there is a correlation between severe influenza disease and low levels of vitamin D and/or a person’s genetic makeup so that measures to contain severe outbreaks of the virus infection can be taken.

Though it will take about three flu seasons to draw decisive conclusions from the study, prior studies have shown that Vitamin D may be fairly effective in protecting against flu. According to this online journal,  a report published in the Journal of Immunology in June of this year suggests that vitamin D promotes the production of antimicrobial substances that have the ability to neutralize the activity of various disease-causing agents, including influenza virus.

Another study found that among 19,000 individuals studied, researchers found that those who had lowest average levels of vitamin D (defined as less than 10 ng/mL) were about 40 percent more likely to have recent respiratory infection, including flu, compared to those who had higher levels of vitamin D (30 ng/mL or higher).

Given these findings, it may be prudent to increase intake of foods rich in vitamin D and even perhaps talk to a doctor about a Vitamin D supplement if one is found to deficient in this vitamin.

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