John H. Boyles, M.D. James J. Howard, M.D. William E. Rogers, M.D.
The medical community in general has been somewhat slow to recognize the considerable health benefits to maintaining optimum Vitamin D levels but it is now becoming more and more standard practice. In fact, many physicians are now including levels on annual blood tests. Optimal levels are usually only seen in people exposed to intense sunlight on their bare skin.
There is a growing body of evidence to support the critical role Vitamin D plays in preventing and treating seasonal and H1N1 flu along with many other health problems. Vitamin D boosts the immune response and reduces inflammation that can lead to flu related complications such as bacterial pneumonia.
Research has shown that at least 1/3 rd of Americans are deficient in this very important vitamin.
Many studies have demonstrated significant decreases in frequency of respiratory infections in patients taking supplemental Vitamin D.
Additional studies have implicated Vitamin D deficiency as a major contributing factor in many types of cancer, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, depression, osteoporosis, arthritis and other diseases.
Dose recommendations vary but are generally rising as the safety of Vitamin D becomes more apparent and more studies are published. Up to just several years ago, doses of only 200-400 IU/day were considered adequate but now 1000-2000 IU per day is considered routine and we at Dayton Ear, Nose and Throat currently recommend taking 2000-3000 IU of Vitamin D daily, especially during the winter months.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO CHECK YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL TODAY.