Vitamin D Supplements protect against respiratory infections, cold, flu; 3 easy ways to increase your vitamin D intake (Photo : YouTube/ Sunnybrook Hospital )
According to a new study, Vitamin D supplements help individuals to protect themselves against respiratory infections, flu and cold.
The research was carried out by the Queen Mary University of London. Vitamin D improves the health of the muscles and provides benefits to bone. In addition, it plays a very important role in enhancing an individual's health.
According to the study, the consumption of Vitamin D supplements can help in safeguarding a person against the common cold and flu.
The study examined data from 11,000 individuals who participated in 25 clinical trials. The trials were held in 14 nations. The nations included Italy, India, United States, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The study results show that if 33 individuals are taking the Vitamin D supplements, one individual is free from infection, Metro reported. But the clinical trials had contradictory results as some individuals said that they were safeguarded from cold and flu infections due to Vitamin D, while other individuals did not experience any such effect.
Researchers said that the protective effects of vitamin D supplementation are strongest in people who have the lowest levels of vitamin D, and when vitamin D supplementation is given weekly or daily rather than in widely spaced doses.
The main function of the sunshine vitamin is to regulate the balance of phosphate and calcium. Both calcium and phosphate are essential for the growth and maintenance of teeth, muscles and bones. The low level in Vitamin D results in softening the bones particularly in kids.
The low level of Vitamin D raises the chances of bladder cancer in adults. Furthermore, Vitamin D increases the level of the antimicrobial peptides in the lungs and reduces the chances of infection in the trachea.
The intake of weekly or daily supplements of Vitamin D decreased the infection rate by 50% for individuals who had low level of vitamin D. Also, it decreases the infection rate by 10% for individuals who have higher vitamin D baseline.
Here are 3 easy ways to increase your vitamin D intake
1. Consume oily fish - One 112g fillet of mackerel contains 18 micrograms of vitamin D and an 85g fillet of cooked salmon contains 11.2 micrograms of vitamin D.
2. Consume eggs - One poached egg contains 1.025 microgram of vitamin D.
3. Cereals - Vitamin D is added to infant formula milk, breakfast cereals and non-dairy milk alternatives.
