Vitamin D Helps Protect Against Flu

Updated: June 22nd, 2010 | We Wanna Hear from You

Maintaining high levels of Vitamin D may enhance protection against flu like the HINI flu, according to a study of the deaths and complications from the 1918-1919 flu pandemic.

University researchers from Harvard and San Francisco reviewed the number of deaths and incidence of pneumonia of the deadly flu 90 years ago.

They determined that the fewest deaths and cases of pneumonia occurred in two southern American cities. These cities’ citizens had high exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D production, as compared to northern cities where the greatest deaths and pneumonia was seen.

Vitamin D is needed for the body’s production of cathelicidin, and antibacterial peptide that has been shown to fight tuberculosis and septicemia. Vitamin D also protects against endotoxins, which are release by bacteria when they are destroyed.