Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Vitamin D No Help Against Colds

Vitamin D was not helpful in reducing the number of upper respiratory tract infections such as colds or flu. The New Zealand researchers recruited more than 300 healthy adults to get either vitamin D or placebo monthly. The first two doses were 200,000 international units each, and subsequent doses were 100,000 IU for the rest of the 18-month study. This supplied more than five times the US RDA for vitamin D. This dose ensured that those getting vitamin D pills had blood levels of at least 48 ng/ml. There was, unfortunately, no statistical difference in the number of colds and flu infections between the two groups. There were also no side effects.
[Journal of the American Medical Association, Oct. 3, 2012]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.