A new study out of the United Kingdom sounds like promising news for the 17.7 million American adults afflicted with asthma.
Researchers analyzed nine studies where participants were given oral vitamin D supplements alongside their standard medical treatment. This resulted in less trips to the emergency department due to severe asthma attacks.
The risk of emergency visits was reduced from 6 percent to 3 percent.
That may sound small but there were over 3,600 asthma deaths in 2013 according to the CDC. So it’s a condition to take very seriously as it causes airways to narrow and swell which can make breathing difficult.
Question: How much Vitamin D do they need to take?
The study didn’t release any numbers, but here are my prescriptions if you want to add in Vitamin D supplementation.
Partha’s RX on Vitamin D Supplementation:
- Recommended Daily Allowance for those between 1 - 70-years-old is 600 IU
- Increase to 800 IU if you’re 71 or older
- Don’t overdo Vitamin D as very high levels have been linked to other health problems
- If you’re concerned, see your doctor as a blood test can measure the amount of vitamin D in your body.
I want to make it clear that vitamin D didn’t improve the patient’s lung function nor their everyday asthma symptoms.
Researchers aren’t sure if vitamin D reduces the risk of severe asthma in all patients or if this just benefits those who had low vitamin D levels to begin with.
More research is needed.
