Vitamin D for Colds and Flu? Looks That Way...

Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin." But did you know it isn't really a vitamin at all? It's actually a hormone that our bodies manufacture when sunshine hits our skin and converts cholesterol into what we call Vitamin D. So what happens when we stay out of the sun, cover up from head to toe, don't see the sun in the winter, or slather our skin with SPF? Nothing - in the way of manufacturing Vitamin D, that is.

We have all heard many times that we need Vitamin D to build strong bones and teeth, right? But what has been coming to light recently is that it plays many other important roles in our overall health. In fact, it has been found that people who live farther north of the equator seem to have more illnesses than those who live closer to it. Is it a coincidence that we get more colds and flu bugs in the winter months than other times of year when the sun is brighter and we spend more time outdoors? Apparently not....

"Forget the apple. The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu.

The finding is based on an assessment of vitamin D levels, nutritional habits and respiratory infection rates among nearly 19,000 American men and women.

'We don't want to jump ahead of ourselves,' said study author Dr. Adit Ginde, an assistant professor of surgery in the division of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. 'But our study provides support that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu. And people who have pre-existing respiratory disease -- like asthma an emphysema -- appear to be at an increased risk for this association.'"

When our Vitamin D levels are lower than optimal, not only are we at increased risk for colds and flu but may also be less protected from things like colon cancer, COPD, and Multiple Sclerosis. Not only that...

"And in December, a review of studies conducted by researchers at the Mid-America Heart Institute in Kansas City suggested that those with vitamin D deficiency -- a designation estimated to include about half of American adults and nearly one in three children -- might face an increased risk for heart attack and stroke."

YIKES!

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish like tuna, beef (grass fed), eggs (pasture fed), and some fortified dairy and juice products. If you are looking to supplement, use only Vitamin D3 which is the form that can be easily converted by the body. But the absolute best way, if possible, is to expose a good amount of skin to about 15-20 minutes of mid-day sun every day. No sunscreen, that defeats the purpose. If you stay out only for that short a period you will not likely be at risk for skin cancer (but check with your healthcare provider if you are predisposed).

Read the rest of the report here. Source: US News.com

Health Nut Wannabe is interested in ways to stay healthy without spending a fortune on medications, but instead by eating foods with medicinal properties.

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