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Vitamin D link to asthma
A study by the Denver Division of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado in the US revealed that people with low levels of vitamin D in their body were more susceptible to catching colds and other respiratory diseases, with asthma and COPD sufferers the worst affected.
Reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study suggests that those who have asthma or COPD could benefit from ensuring their levels of vitamin D are high, while the research could also explain why colds and influenza are much more prevalent during the winter months, when there is less sunlight (the largest natural source of vitamin D taken in by the body).
Dr Adit Ginde, who was involved in the study, explained: "Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency."
Dr Carlos Camargo, lead author of the study, added respiratory infections in people with asthma or COPD could lead to hospitalisation and emergency treatment.
"So the impact of preventing infections in these patients could be very large," he concluded.
Recent research has claimed that smoking can also worsen the effects of COPD in sufferers. The study claimed the body's natural defences made the disease worse in sufferers who smoked.
25 February 2009
Researchers have suggested that there could be a link between vitamin D and the likelihood of people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffering from a cold.A study by the Denver Division of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado in the US revealed that people with low levels of vitamin D in their body were more susceptible to catching colds and other respiratory diseases, with asthma and COPD sufferers the worst affected.
Reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the study suggests that those who have asthma or COPD could benefit from ensuring their levels of vitamin D are high, while the research could also explain why colds and influenza are much more prevalent during the winter months, when there is less sunlight (the largest natural source of vitamin D taken in by the body).
Dr Adit Ginde, who was involved in the study, explained: "Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency."
Dr Carlos Camargo, lead author of the study, added respiratory infections in people with asthma or COPD could lead to hospitalisation and emergency treatment.
"So the impact of preventing infections in these patients could be very large," he concluded.
Recent research has claimed that smoking can also worsen the effects of COPD in sufferers. The study claimed the body's natural defences made the disease worse in sufferers who smoked.
© Adfero Ltd. This news story was brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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