(29-08-10) Vitamin D more effective than vaccines at preventing flu infections

by David Gutierrez, staff writer

A vitamin D supplement is more effective at reducing the risk of flu infection
than vaccines or antiviral drugs, according to a study conducted by researchers
from Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo and published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers conducted the double-blind, randomized study on 354 children
between the ages of six and 15 during the winter of 2008-2009. Half the
children were assigned to take a daily supplement of 1,200 IU of vitamin D,
while the other half were given a placebo pill.

After one month, influenza infection rates in the two groups remained the
same. By the second month, however, participants in the vitamin D group were 50
percent less likely to become infected than participants in the control group.
This drop in infection rate corresponded with an increase in vitamin D blood
levels.

In contrast, antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamivir reduced rates
of infection by only 8 percent. Even vaccines had success rates significantly
lower than the 50 percent achieved by vitamin D.

When the analysis excluded children who were being given vitamin D supplements
at home, supplementation was found to reduce the risk of infection by 67
percent.

Because vitamin D is an essential nutrient, it poses no side effects if given
in appropriate doses. In contrast, both drugs and vaccines can produce negative
side effects in many people.

In addition, higher vitamin D levels lead to stronger bones and teeth, a more
well-regulated immune system, and an overall lower risk of infection, heart
disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Vitamin D is synthesized naturally by the body upon exposure to sunlight, but
a decrease in time spent outdoors plus growing use of sunscreen due to skin
cancer fears has contributed to widespread deficiency. Vitamin D levels tend to
hit their lowest point in most people during the winter, when the sun is at its
weakest. This corresponds with the time period during which flu infections
peak.

Sources for this story include: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/ne....

Source: NaturalNews

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