: Breaking news-Vitamin D prevents Asthma and Influenza

[Guest guest]

Vitamin D3 News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking news from:

www.vitaminD3world.com

 

 

March 2010

Vol 1 No 23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue

 

 

New placebo controlled trial in infuenza and asthma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This month a placebo controlled trial from

Japan demonstrates that Vitamin D supplements dramatically reduce

both influenza infections and asthma attacks in children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placebo controlled

trial demonstrates Vitamin D supplements dramatically reduce influenza

infections and asthma attacks

 

 

 

This week a study

published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

provided convincing data that demonstrated Vitamin D can help the body

ward off viral infections and asthma attacks. More than 600 Japanese

schoolchildren aged 6-15 were treated from December 2008 through to the

end of March 2009 with Vitamin D (1200 IU per day) or placebo (1).

 

 

 

The number of

infections with the viruses influenza A and B and the number of

asthmatic attacks were assessed. Of note is the fact that influenza A

includes the H1N1 strain that was responsible for the pandemic alerts

of last year.

 

Whether a child had

succumbed to influenza over the course of the study was confirmed

microbiologically using swabs from the nose/throat.

 

Those children

taking Vitamin D developed 42 percent fewer infections with influenza

B. The benefits were even more dramatic in children who had not been

previously supplementing with Vitamin D, and in these children there

was a 64 percent reduction in the infection rate.

 

 

Perhaps

even more interesting was the reduction in the number of children

developing asthma attacks. Those children taking Vitamin D supplements

had a six-fold reduction in the number of asthma attacks. This

difference was found to be highly statistically significant

P<0.006) .

 

 

In summary, this is a

placebo controlled trial--the gold standard of clinical research-- that

demonstrated up to a 60% reduction in the incidence of viral infections

and a six-fold reduction in the incidence of asthma attacks.

 

Also of note is the fact that the dose of Vitamin D3 used, only 1200IU,

is low compared to the current recommendations of Vitamin D experts. In

addition, the clinical trial only ran for three months. We know that it

can take many months of supplementation to improve Vitamin D

levels. Although actual Vitamin D levels were not measured in this

study, the relatively low dose used and short study duration would

suggest that many of the children would not have reached anywhere near

optimal levels of Vitamin D during the trial. Still,the results were

dramatic.

 

 

Last month we

reported two studies that demonstrated Vitamin D deficiency was

associated with severe asthma and declining lung function in

asthamatics. (link) In addition, preclinical

data was reported suggesting that Vitamin D could dramatically reduce

the need for steroids in asthma patients. (link)

 

These data indicate that maintaining optimal levels of Vitamin D

will significantly reduce the incidence of asthma attacks, prevent

gradual decline in lung function and reduce dependency on steroids.

 

References:

1. Urashima M,

et al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent

seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr 10th March 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The products and

claims made here have not been evaluated by the United States Food and

Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or

prevent disease. The information provided is for informational purposes

only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician

or other health care professional. You should consult with a healthcare

professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation

program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you

might have a health problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the news - The following news

releases have been added to the In the News section of www.vitaminD3world.com This section of the

site is updated every few days. Revisit it frequently to learn

about the latest research on Vitamin D. Click here for In the News

 

Mar

15th 2010, Vitamin D Breakthrough--New data explains the role of

Vitamin D in multiple conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

Mar

5th 2010, Increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency for people with dark

skin

 

Feb 28th 2010, Vitamin D reduces need for steroids in asthmatics

 

 

Feb22nd

2010 More studies show benefits of Vitamin D in heart disease and

diabetes

 

 

Feb

16th 2010, Experts estimate Vitamin D could reduce cancer deaths by 75%

 

Feb

6th, 2010 Vitamin D helps asthmatics

 

Jan

31, 2010-More data suggests Vitamin D lowers risk of colon cancer.

 

Jan

27, 2010 Data on Vitamin D reaches tipping point for investor community

 

Jan

20, 2010-Low Vitamin D levels are associated with greater risk of

relapse in childhood-onset Multiple Sclerosis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editorial

Comment

 

The data on

the effects of Vitamin D deficiency becomes more impressive week by

week. Pass on this information to anyone who may be interested and

encourage them to sign up for further updates.

 

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