Why should vitamin D be taken in winter-spring?

A study on Japanese children showed that vitamin D supplementation during winter and early spring helps prevent seasonal flu and asthma.

Lead researcher, PhD. Mitsuyoshi Urashima said the idea of ​​this study comes from previous research on vitamin D that can prevent osteoporosis. The researchers noted that people who took vitamin D had fewer symptoms of flu and colds.

Dr. Urashima, Jikei Medical University (Tokyo, Japan), and colleagues gave 1 group of children aged 6-15 years to take supplemental vitamin D3 (1,200UI dose / day), another group to placebo during the cold season. flu.

Vitamin D3 or scientific name cholecalciferol, absorbed more in the body and more active than vitamin D2 (also known as ergocalciferol), the vitamin is usually low in multivitamins.

In the study carried out from mid-December 2008 to March 2009, 31/167 children drank placebo infected with influenza A, a common virus, compared to 18/167 children who received vitamin D. Group of vitamin D drink less flu A than the placebo group was 58%.

However, vitamin D does not prevent influenza B.

Vitamin D is also thought to help 'reduce' attacks in children with a history of asthma. Two children who took vitamin D had asthma attacks compared to 12 children who took placebo during the study. Dr. Urashima hopes that this finding will support the treatment of asthma in children.

Dr. Adit Ginde, Colorado Denver Medical University, judged: 'This is the first study to show a very clear way that vitamin D supplementation can help reduce the flu'.

Based on the findings of this study, giving children vitamin D supplements in the winter will help reduce the risk of influenza A, the researchers concluded. Dr. Urashima recommends giving children 1,200IU of vitamin D each day starting in September to prevent flu and getting asthma in buying flu, but it is best for parents to consult their doctor before giving them a drink.