Vitamin D Supplements Could Protect from the Common Cold and Flu
The NHS recommends that everyone considers taking a vitamin D supplement, particularly in the autumn and winter months, to optimise musculoskeletal health. However, a recent review by Martineau et al. [1] made the headlines by suggesting that this guidance could also help combat the common cold and flu. After assessing the findings of this study within the limited scope of current research it has been concluded that vitamin D offers some immunomodulatory effects , but there is not enough scientific evidence to advise supplementation for protection against respiratory tract infections. Recent headlines have stated that increasing vitamin D status could combat the common cold or flu, suggesting the benefits of population-wide supplementation [2]. Such action is already recommended by Public Health England during autumn and winter for those whose diet is not sufficient in either foods naturally containing vitamin D, such as oily fish, liver and egg yolks, or those fortified with it