Is Vitamin D Deficiency Causing Colds, Flu and Disease?

Vitamin D deficiency is likely contributing to an increase in late winter and early spring colds and flu, according to several new and impressive studies done in the last few years. As the temperatures fluctuate between the seasons, there is added stress to our bodies and immune systems. Combine that with low levels of vitamin D because of reduced exposure to the sun during the winter months, and the spike in colds and flu can be anticipated.

According to researcher and author Dr. David Williams, studies over the last several years have also linked low levels of vitamin D with 18 different kinds of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon, and ovarian. He claims that vitamin D deficiency has gone unnoticed for many years by most researchers and those in the medical field. As a result, we are now seeing the effects of vitamin D deficiency, especially in the elderly.

According to the Vitamin D Council, vitamin D deficiency also contributes to heart disease, stroke, hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects and periodontal disease.

Vitamin D is a natural antibiotic and antiviral compound, and researchers have found that a person's vitamin D level has a direct influence on whether they succumb to the flu, a cold, or some other form of infection. Some researchers have gone so far as to say that vitamin D deficiencies are absolutely the reason influenza epidemics are seasonal, making us more susceptible to respiratory infections during the winter to spring months. As a result of these repeated findings, many medical doctors are now suggesting their patients pay more attention to a diet rich in vitamin D, vitamin D supplements, and more exposure to the sun.

Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council recently published a study that supports researchers' claims that vitamin D levels, exposure to the sun, and flu and colds are inter-related. Some of Dr. Cannell's observations were:

Enjoying the sun

Credit: dhannte

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