Question:
Does taking vitamin D supplements help prevent upper respiratory infections over a placebo pill?
Answer:
Yes
MedHead Confidence Score: 5
Amount Saved: $50 per hour medical research
MedHead Message:
Taking vitamin D, especially during winter months may decrease your chance of getting a cold virus by around 12-15%. For children, start with 600IU daily and adults 800-2000IU daily during the winter months for preventing upper respiratory illnesses other than the flu.
References:
1. Martineau, AR, et. al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.BMJ. 2017 Feb 15;356:i6583. doi: 10.1136/bmj.i6583. 2. Loeb, M, et. al. Effect of Vitamin D supplementation to reduce respiratory infections in children and adolescents in Vietnam: A randomized controlled trial. Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses. Volume 13, Issue 2 March 2019 Pages 176-183. 3. Tanner, A, et. al. The Case for Vitamin D Supplementation to Improve Protection against Respiratory Tract Infections. Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews, Volume 14, Number 3, September 2018, pp. 128-134(7).
