Medical Researches
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Based on 5 Researches
Vitamin D reduces cold severityInfluence of Vitamin D Supplementation by Simulated Sunlight or Oral D3 on Respiratory Infection during Military Training.
Strong relevance to cold health.
We explored the connection between vitamin D levels and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) among military recruits during their training. This observation spanned across different seasons and included over 1,600 recruits. Our aim was to understand how achieving sufficient vitamin D levels could potentially impact the frequency and severity of colds among physically active individuals.
In an additional phase of the research, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with 250 male recruits. They received either a placebo, simulated sunlight exposure, or oral vitamin D3 supplements during winter. This comparison allowed us to see if these methods effectively increased vitamin D levels to a sufficient status of 25(OH)D at 50 nmol/L or higher.
Notably, our findings showed that only 21% of recruits had adequate vitamin D during winter, yet those who did were 40% less likely to suffer from URTIs. Furthermore, both vitamin D supplementation strategies similarly helped nearly all participants achieve sufficient levels. Vitamin D supplementation notably reduced the severity of URTI symptoms by 15% and the number of days with URTIs by 36% compared to placebo.
While the supplementation strategies did not significantly alter other immune factors, such as salivary secretory immunoglobulin A, the overall reduction in respiratory infections indicates a beneficial effect of maintaining vitamin D sufficiency during military training.
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Vitamin D's limited cold impactHigh-dose oral vitamin D supplementation for prevention of infections in children aged 0 to 59 months: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Addresses vitamin D and colds
We evaluated the impact of high-dose vitamin D supplementation, specifically doses exceeding the standard 400 IU, on preventing colds and other infections in children under five years of age. Our analysis included seven studies, involving a total of 5,748 children, which looked into how effective vitamin D might be in reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections.
Interestingly, while our findings showed no significant benefit of high-dose vitamin D on the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections as a whole, we did observe a noteworthy reduction in specific illness occurrences. We noted a 57% reduction in colds, a 56% reduction in coughs, and a 59% decrease in fever rates with daily doses exceeding 1,000 IU.
However, we must approach these findings with caution, as the evidence supporting the reduction in cough and fever was of lower certainty. No significant effects were observed regarding other conditions such as bronchitis or otitis media. Overall, while high-dose vitamin D may help with colds specifically, further research is needed to solidify these conclusions.
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We explored the impact of vitamin D and B12 deficiencies in children experiencing primary Raynaud phenomenon (RP), which causes temporary blood flow changes often triggered by cold or stress. Our study aimed to identify how common these vitamin deficiencies are in pediatric patients and whether they influenced the severity of Raynaud symptoms.
Out of 40 young participants, a significant portion—41.5% for vitamin B12 and 39% for vitamin D—showed low serum levels of these vitamins. After providing supplementation, we observed improved symptoms in many cases, particularly through warming techniques. However, it's important to note that while vasodilator treatment needs were generally unchanged regardless of vitamin B12 levels, those who had vitamin D deficiencies and subsequently received vitamin D treatment required significantly less vasodilator therapy.
Overall, while some positive effects of vitamin D were noted, further research is necessary to conclusively determine its role in managing primary RP symptoms and its effectiveness in combating cold-induced episodes.
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Vitamin D reduces cold symptomsIntake of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D May Reduce the Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Comparison Study.
Direct evaluation of vitamin D impact
We explored the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) on individuals experiencing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), commonly known as colds. In a well-structured study, participants with low vitamin D levels received either a daily dose of 10 micrograms of 25OHD or a placebo for a span of 16 weeks. The participants' symptoms were assessed using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21, focusing on how the vitamin impacted their cold symptoms.
Our findings showed that those taking 25OHD reported significant reductions in physical symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, and head congestion compared to those on the placebo. Additionally, the quality of life scores improved for most symptoms, except for ease of breathing. However, it’s important to note that there was no significant difference in the total number of cold events or how often participants used medications like antibiotics or pain relievers.
Collectively, these results suggest that adequate intake of vitamin D can help ease cold symptoms, particularly those affecting the nose, and might enhance overall well-being when a cold strikes. This indicates that vitamin D may play a positive role in managing the discomfort associated with upper respiratory infections.
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Vitamin D and cold symptomsThe Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Respiratory Infections in Children under 6 Years Old: A Systematic Review.
No strong evidence found
We explored the effects of vitamin D supplementation on respiratory infections, particularly colds, in children under six years old. By examining various studies published until February 2023, we observed diverse findings, with some studies reporting benefits while others found no significant advantage. Overall, eight studies were included, with a total of 2,189 children assessed.
While a few studies indicated that low vitamin D levels might be linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections, only one study specifically noted that children who took 800 IU of vitamin D daily for three months experienced fewer mild respiratory symptoms and recovered more quickly. However, a significant number of studies showed no notable differences in the rates or severity of colds when vitamin D supplementation was used.
In essence, the evidence regarding vitamin D's role in preventing or effectively treating colds in young children is still unclear. We did find some indications that certain doses, like 80 IU/kg/day, may help reduce acute respiratory infection risks, but most research highlighted only minor benefits, such as quicker recovery rather than preventing infections. Variability in study design and supplementation protocols contributed to these inconclusive results, highlighting the need for further research.
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User Reviews
Great vitamin D! I used to be ill constantly until I started taking these. Now, I haven't had a cold or flu in ages! Many people associate vitamin C with illness, but the issue is actually a lack of vitamin D! Since the body produces vitamin D, I alternate between one to two pills daily to maintain natural production.
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It's challenging to review a supplement with subtle benefits. However, since I've been taking this, I haven't had a cold, sinus infection, or any upper respiratory illness, which I'm quite prone to.