Daily Supplementation With Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of Acute Respiratory Infection

Types of acute respiratory infections include the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, and strep throat. According to a new study, daily supplementation with vitamin D may help reduce the risk of acute respiratory infection.

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Harvard Medical School reviewed 43 studies that examined the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and acute respiratory infections. The studies included 49,419 participants and had a placebo control group or a low-dose vitamin D control group.

The researchers found that taking a daily dose of 400-1,000 IU of vitamin D for up to 12 months was associated with a 42% reduced risk of acute respiratory infection compared to placebo. A daily dose was found to be more effective than a weekly or a monthly dose.

The study was published online ahead of print on March 30, 2021 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.