Vitamin D for Natural Cold and Flu Prevention

We now know that people with healthy levels of vitamin d in their bodies are less likely to get sick with the cold or flu. This makes sense since we are more prone to the cold and flu during the winter months when we are getting less sun exposure and are indoors passing the virus around via door handles, etc. With this knowledge, we can naturally protect ourselves from the cold and flu this winter.

Vitamin d can be consumed through food, though few dietary sources provide vitamin d. Our bodies were designed to create vitamin d when our skin is exposed to sunlight. This is the easiest way to ensure we have enough vitamin d in our bodies during the spring, summer, and fall months when normal sun exposure while performing our daily activities should be sufficient without causing skin damage. Excessive exposure to sunlight and sunburn will cause skin damage and once your body has produced enough vitamin d, it will stop.

During the winter months when you may not be getting enough sun exposure to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin d, you can find vitamin d from dietary sources and supplements. Dietary sources of vitamin d include salmon (wild caught is lower in mercury), mackerel, beef or calf liver, tuna, dairy products fortified with vitamin d, orange juice fortified with vitamin d, and vitamin d fortified cereals. When choosing a supplement, it is best to ensure that the vitamin d is not a synthetic form. Cod liver oil is a natural source of vitamin D, vitamin A, D.H.A., and E.P.A.

References:


New evidence links vitamin D to flu prevention Better Health Research News Desk

The Truth About Vitamin D: Vitamin D Food Sources DeNoon, Daniel J. WebMD

Sun exposure and healthy levels of vitamin D-Canadian Dermatology Association offers recommendations