Thanks to Diane Palladino for sending me this fascinating link about Vitamin D and the body’s immune response, in particular, its influence on the spread of influenza. Specifically, medical research has shown that by increasing Vitamin D intake to 2,000 international units (IU) per day it dramatically reduced the number of influenza cases and other upper respiratory infections.

The recent increase in Vitamin D recommendations up from 200 IU/day to 400 IU/day is based on protecting and preserving bone health, not immunity. Essentially, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) protect the mucous lining by attacking pathogens that try to penetrate this lining. Vitamin D helps produce these AMPs while simultaneously dampening the part of the immune system that causes acute inflammation.  With an inadequate intake of Vitamin D however, the body’s immune defense system is considerably weakened.

Read On the Epidemiology of Influenza by John J. Cannell, MD et al as he and his team hypothesize that the reason influenza spreads so rapidly is not because it’s highly infectious but because during the winter months, we are deprived of Vitamin D, which is produced in the body by direct sunlight on the skin.

Related topics about Vitamin D include:
Doubling of Vitamin D for Infants, Children and Adolescents

Who Knew: The Role of Vitamin D 

Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency

Elemental Calcium: Why It Matters

Vitamin D: Changes in the Recommended Daily Allowance for Infants, Children and Teens

Finally, check out the great web site www.vitamindcouncil.org for the latest in research on this important hormone.

Stumble! for WP

Related posts:

1. Who Knew? Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency Calcium and Vitamin D go hand-in-hand. Vitamin D is important...
2. Doubling of Vitamin D for Infants and Children The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a doubling...
3. Who Knew? The Role of Vitamin D Vitamin D (which acts like a hormone in our bodies) and...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.