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Vitamin D Supplements May Help Prevent Recurrent Ear Infections

Q. My son is suffering his fourth ear infection this year. I am concerned and I am wondering if there is something I can do to keep him from getting these repeated infections. Would putting alcohol in his ears after a bath help? Is there some other preventative?

A. Ask your son’s doctor if the infection is in the ear canal (swimmer’s ear) or if it is otitis media (a middle-ear infection). Eardrops of alcohol and vinegar can help prevent swimmer’s ear.

To prevent middle-ear infections in young children who get them repeatedly, you might ask your pediatrician about a vitamin D supplement. New research from Italy shows that children prone to these infections are often low in vitamin D, and a supplement of 1000 IU/day can help prevent such infections (Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Oct., 2013).

We are sending you our Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency so that you will have more information on this condition and how vitamin D affects the immune system. In adults, inadequate levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of diabetes, uterine fibroids and high blood pressure. In children, low levels of vitamin D have been associated with greater risk of respiratory tract infection (Inflammation and Allergy Drug Targets, Aug., 2013).

If you would like to know how to interpret lab results for vitamin D levels and what supplemental amounts are most appropriate, we recommend our Vitamin D Guide. Here is a link to this publication.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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