Vitamin D and Colds

With the winter season gearing up to full swing, you may be wondering how you can help prevent the seemingly inevitable cold bug. Fortunately, there may be an easier way. Scientists are saying that some people – those who are deficient in Vitamin D – are more susceptible than others when it comes to getting the sniffles. Could you be one of them?

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Colds
Low Vitamin D levels have been linked to colds, among other problems, according to a new study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study revealed that those who are deficient in Vitamin D tend to have more colds and illnesses than those who have sufficient levels of Vitamin D in their system. This finding was from a study performed by Cambridge University. In a group of 1,200 volunteers, those who had low levels of Vitamin D in their system suffered from more colds during a year span than those who did not have a deficiency. The study indicated that someone with low levels of Vitamin D in their system was 20 percent more likely to develop more colds than those who had an adequate amount of this vitamin. The average person suffers from two to three colds per year. Many of these instances are warded off easily enough after a few days of rest and plenty of fluids. But some people suffer from more colds than others and this is often thought to be caused by a lowered or compromised immune system.

Why Might Your Immune System be Compromised?
There are various reasons why people have a lowered immune system. Older people and very young children have a lowered immune system and tend to suffer from more colds and other illnesses. Children generally outgrow this as they become older and stronger. Older adults will tend to get weaker as time wears on, until their immune systems are virtually non-existent and they are catching colds and infections more easily than ever before. Vitamin D is one essential vitamin that can help boost and support the immune system so that it can fight off infection and colds.

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish such as salmon and cod. It is recommended that you have three servings of these fish each week. If you cannot eat three servings of fish on a weekly basis, you can supplement your diet by taking fish oil capsules as well as Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is also fortified in certain foods like dairy and cereals. Drinking milk and eating whole grain cereals are more ways that you can get a healthy dose of Vitamin D.Other Benefits of Vitamin D.

In addition to warding off colds, an adequate supply of Vitamin D is said to help prevent other illness as well. A healthy immune system dictates the health of your entire body.

If you keep your immune system strong with the use of Vitamin D, you will find that you not only feel better physically, but mentally as well. A low dose of Vitamin D in the system is also said to impact the mental health of an individual. Prior studies have indicated that those who suffer from depression often are deficient in certain vitamins, including Vitamin D.

There is no doubt about it! You need to make sure that you get enough Vitamin D in your diet if you want to ward off colds, stay healthy and maintain both physical and mental well being.