Last update
5/23/2025

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 18 Researches
7.2
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.5

Top Medical Research Studies

8
Vitamin D reduces influenza risk
We explored the link between vitamin D supplementation and its effectiveness in preventing influenza. In our analysis, we reviewed ten randomized controlled trials, which included a total of 4,859 participants. This rigorous investigation was thorough, pulling data from trusted sources such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

Our findings showed that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of influenza infections. Specifically, we noted a 22% decrease in risk, with our calculations presenting a risk ratio of 0.78. Notably, there was little variability in outcomes among the included studies, suggesting that the results were quite consistent.

Additionally, our research indicated no signs of publication bias, adding credibility to our findings. This suggests that incorporating vitamin D supplementation into preventive strategies for influenza could be beneficial. Overall, vitamin D stands out as a promising option for reducing the risk of influenza infections, reinforcing the idea that it plays a crucial role in bolstering our immune defenses.
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3
Vitamin D supplementation ineffective for flu
We explored whether vitamin D supplementation could help reduce the risk of influenza infection among elderly nursing home residents who had been vaccinated against the flu. In this study, we observed 97 participants, primarily women, who received a seasonal flu vaccine. They were split into two groups: one received vitamin D drops for three months, while the other did not.

During the study, we checked for confirmed influenza infections through nasal swabs and measured the participants' vitamin D levels at the end of the trial. While we noted that there were fewer cases of confirmed influenza in the vitamin D group (5 cases versus 12 in the control), the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, the expected increase in vitamin D levels after supplementation did not occur, meaning that the treatment did not effectively address the vitamin D deficiency present in our participants.

In conclusion, despite some initial hope, standard vitamin D supplementation did not prove beneficial in reducing influenza infections among the vaccinated elderly residents. This finding highlights important considerations for effective supplementation strategies in populations at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
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8
Zinc may prevent influenza entry
We investigated how zinc, delivered through epipharyngeal abrasive therapy (EAT), might impact the expression of a key molecule known as Cav1.2, which plays a crucial role in allowing the influenza A virus to enter cells. The study included two groups of patients: one group that received EAT, which involved scratching the epipharyngeal mucosa with a zinc chloride-treated swab, and another group that did not receive this treatment.

By analyzing tissue samples, we observed that the levels of Cav1.2 were significantly lower in the EAT-treated patients compared to those who were not treated. In fact, the expression of Cav1.2 in the patients who underwent EAT was measured to be 4.19 times lower than in the non-treated group. This suggests that the squamous metaplasia induced by EAT might help reduce the entry of the influenza virus by down-regulating this key protein.

Our findings indicate that EAT, through its zinc content, could serve as a simple and effective method to potentially prevent influenza infection by limiting the virus's ability to enter cells.
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Most Useful Reviews

9
Preventative enhancement
507 people found this helpful
Made a significant difference in flu prevention and severity for our family. I work in an elementary school and frequently encounter sick children during winter. I began using these gummies just before Christmas when the flu started spreading in our small town. I took two gummies morning and night, while my kids had two daily. We didn’t get flu shots, yet despite being surrounded by sick individuals, we remained healthy until we ran out of gummies.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 18 Researches
7.2
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin C supports antiviral activity
We investigated the potential of a unique formulation combining vitamin C with a complex of alkaloids to combat the H1N1 influenza virus. Our approach involved creating nanoparticles that encapsulate both the alkaloid-rich fraction and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to enhance the water solubility and bioavailability of these components.

The results were promising, showing that our formulated nanoparticles had a significant selective antiviral effect against the H1N1 virus, achieving an IC50 of 2.7 μg/mL. Notably, this effect was observed without harming the host cells, suggesting that the treatment could be both effective and safe.

However, it's important to note that while the presence of vitamin C in the formulation seems beneficial, we also included other active ingredients, making it difficult to assess the isolated impact of vitamin C alone. The combination of these elements appears to contribute to the overall effectiveness against influenza.

In summary, our findings indicate that this new delivery system might be a promising avenue for treating influenza viruses, with vitamin C playing a supportive role among other powerful components.
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9
Vitamin D's limited impact on influenza
We aimed to explore how vitamin D supplementation affects the risk of influenza, particularly in healthy children aged 0 to 18 years. By analyzing eight randomized controlled trials that included a total of nearly 9,000 participants, we sought to understand if vitamin D can help reduce the incidence of acute respiratory tract infections, especially influenza.

Our findings indicate that vitamin D supplementation does not significantly reduce the overall rates of acute respiratory tract infections among healthy children. We observed no notable differences in infection rates between those receiving vitamin D and those given a placebo. This suggests that for general respiratory infections, the benefits of vitamin D supplementation might not be as impactful as once thought.

However, there was a noteworthy reduction in Influenza A cases among the children who received higher doses of vitamin D compared to those receiving lower doses. This finding could signal potential benefits for preventing this specific virus, though we must also note that only a couple of studies reported side effects, which were generally minimal.

Overall, while vitamin D shows some promise in reducing Influenza A cases, it does not appear to enhance protection against acute respiratory tract infections as a whole in the healthy pediatric population.
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We examined how combining zinc with other essential micronutrients could impact the immune response to an influenza vaccine. Our study found that this combination, including vitamins C and D, selenium, manganese, and N-acetyl cysteine, led to increased levels of protective antibodies after vaccinations in mice.

Notably, the supplementation improved not just the overall antibody response but also boosted specific immune responses vital for effective virus clearance. We observed a rise in specific types of immune cells, such as germinal center B cells and helper T cells, which are crucial in fighting off infections. Moreover, this combination influenced a greater differentiation of T helper cells, enhancing the production of important cytokines.

While our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of this micronutrient combination on immunity, it is also important to note that the study evaluated these effects in a controlled setting involving multiple micronutrients. Although zinc is included, its isolated impact on the immune response to influenza was less discernible due to the mixture of supplements tested. Overall, our research lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at improving vaccination responses through dietary adjustments.
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8
Vitamin D improves influenza defense
We explored the effects of vitamin D (VD) on airway health, particularly in relation to influenza infections. Our investigation stemmed from ongoing observations that link vitamin D deficiency to chronic respiratory issues, specifically chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). We gathered clinical data from 142 patients to examine these connections and then turned to a more controlled environment using airway epithelial organoids to simulate how vitamin D treatment affects the airway’s response to viral infections.

Through our experiments, we found that long-term exposure to vitamin D significantly improved the health of respiratory cells. This treatment not only boosted the proliferation of these cells but also enhanced their ability to defend against influenza H1N1 virus. We observed that vitamin D helped strengthen immune responses—like increasing levels of the antimicrobial peptide LL37 and reducing harmful inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it improved epithelial integrity and aided in mucociliary clearance, which is crucial for keeping the airways clear of pathogens.

Our analyses indicated that vitamin D influences important signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and immune responses. Notably, it appears to enhance the airway's ability to cope with infections in ways that do not rely on the more common TGF-β signaling pathway, suggesting unique mechanisms at play.

Overall, our findings highlight the potential of vitamin D as a crucial ally in airway health, particularly in combating infections like influenza. Enhancing vitamin D levels may be an effective strategy for improving epithelial repair and boosting immune defenses in the respiratory system.
Read More
8
Vitamin D reduces influenza risk
We explored the link between vitamin D supplementation and its effectiveness in preventing influenza. In our analysis, we reviewed ten randomized controlled trials, which included a total of 4,859 participants. This rigorous investigation was thorough, pulling data from trusted sources such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

Our findings showed that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of influenza infections. Specifically, we noted a 22% decrease in risk, with our calculations presenting a risk ratio of 0.78. Notably, there was little variability in outcomes among the included studies, suggesting that the results were quite consistent.

Additionally, our research indicated no signs of publication bias, adding credibility to our findings. This suggests that incorporating vitamin D supplementation into preventive strategies for influenza could be beneficial. Overall, vitamin D stands out as a promising option for reducing the risk of influenza infections, reinforcing the idea that it plays a crucial role in bolstering our immune defenses.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 1 Review
8.5
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Preventative enhancement
507 people found this helpful
Made a significant difference in flu prevention and severity for our family. I work in an elementary school and frequently encounter sick children during winter. I began using these gummies just before Christmas when the flu started spreading in our small town. I took two gummies morning and night, while my kids had two daily. We didn’t get flu shots, yet despite being surrounded by sick individuals, we remained healthy until we ran out of gummies.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

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References

  1. Park JH, Lee Y, Choi M, Park E. The Role of Some Vitamins in Respiratory-related Viral Infections: A Narrative Review. Clin Nutr Res. 2023;12:77. 10.7762/cnr.2023.12.1.77
  2. Liu MJ, Han ZY, Wang HW, Yu CL, Xu XL, et al. [Effect and mechanism of acupoint injection on influenza A virus induced pneumonia in mice]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2022;42:1017. 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210713-k0002
  3. Fahmy SA, Mahdy NK, Al Mulla H, ElMeshad AN, Issa MY, et al. PLGA/PEG Nanoparticles Loaded with Cyclodextrin- Alkaloid Complex and Ascorbic Acid with Promising Antimicrobial Activities. Pharmaceutics. 2022;14. 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010142
  4. Kang H, Hu H, Park SK. Serum antioxidant status and mortality from influenza and pneumonia in US adults. Public Health Nutr. 2022;25:1. 10.1017/S1368980022000027
  5. Abioye AI, Bromage S, Fawzi W. Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6. 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003176
  6. Márquez-Domínguez L, Reyes-Leyva J, Herrera-Camacho I, Santos-López G, Scior T. Five Novel Non-Sialic Acid-Like Scaffolds Inhibit In Vitro H1N1 and H5N2 Neuraminidase Activity of Influenza a Virus. Molecules. 2020;25. 10.3390/molecules25184248
  7. Arora J, Froelich NE, Tang M, Weaver V, Paulson RF, et al. Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency and the Vitamin D Receptor Control Hematopoiesis. J Immunol. 2024;213:1479. 10.4049/jimmunol.2400292
  8. Willcox ML, Lavu D, Yousaf U, Dalton S, Roberts N, et al. The effectiveness of interventions to reduce the transmission of acute respiratory infections in care homes: a systematic review. J Public Health (Oxf). 2024;46:551. 10.1093/pubmed/fdae178
  9. Carboo JA, Dolman-Macleod RC, Malan L, Lombard MJ. High-dose oral vitamin D supplementation for prevention of infections in children aged 0 to 59 months: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2024;82:579. 10.1093/nutrit/nuad082
  10. Fang Q, Wu Y, Lu J, Zheng H. A meta-analysis of the association between vitamin D supplementation and the risk of acute respiratory tract infection in the healthy pediatric group. Front Nutr. 2023;10:1188958. 10.3389/fnut.2023.1188958
  11. Liao S, Huang Y, Zhang J, Xiong Q, Chi M, et al. Vitamin D promotes epithelial tissue repair and host defense responses against influenza H1N1 virus and Staphylococcus aureus infections. Respir Res. 2023;24:175. 10.1186/s12931-023-02477-4
  12. van Helmond N, Brobyn TL, LaRiccia PJ, Cafaro T, Hunter K, et al. Vitamin D3 Supplementation at 5000 IU Daily for the Prevention of Influenza-like Illness in Healthcare Workers: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2022;15. 10.3390/nu15010180
  13. Arora J, Patel DR, Nicol MJ, Field CJ, Restori KH, et al. Vitamin D and the Ability to Produce 1,25(OH)D Are Critical for Protection from Viral Infection of the Lungs. Nutrients. 2022;14. 10.3390/nu14153061
  14. Huang YN, Chi H, Chiu NC, Huang CY, Li ST, et al. A randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza and enterovirus infection in children. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2022;55:803. 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.01.003
  15. Zhu Z, Zhu X, Gu L, Zhan Y, Chen L, et al. Association Between Vitamin D and Influenza: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Nutr. 2021;8:799709. 10.3389/fnut.2021.799709
  16. Godan Hauptman A, Lukić-Grlić A, Vraneš J, Milošević M, Gagro A. The effect of standard-dose wintertime vitamin D supplementation on influenza infection in immunized nursing home elderly residents. Croat Med J. 2021;62:495.
  17. Bufan B, Arsenović-Ranin N, Živković I, Ćuruvija I, Blagojević V, et al. Modulation of T-Cell-Dependent Humoral Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine by Multiple Antioxidant/Immunomodulatory Micronutrient Supplementation. Vaccines (Basel). 2024;12. 10.3390/vaccines12070743
  18. Nishi K, Yoshimoto S, Nishi S, Nishi T, Nishi R, et al. Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy Down-regulates the Expression of Cav1.2: A Key Molecule in Influenza Virus Entry. In Vivo. 2022;36:2357. 10.21873/invivo.12967
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