Recent news reports of research claiming vitamin D supplements can boost the immune system as well as the health of bones, has raised questions for how people with ME can obtain enough of this vital nutrient.
Get vitamin D from:
- sunshine, but not through glass or sun creams
- oily fish e.g. fresh salmon, tuna, mackerel – tinned tuna and some tinned salmon doesn’t contain much, if any
- fortified foods – some bread, spreads and cereals have vitamin D added
- egg yolks
- beef liver
- supplements
More info about the recent research:
BBC news report, by James Gallagher, 16 Feb 2017: Vitamin D pills ‘could stop colds or flu’
Vitamin D supplements could spare more than three million people from colds or flu in the UK each year, researchers claim. The sunshine vitamin is vital for healthy bones, but also has a role in the immune system.
The analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, argues food should be fortified with the vitamin.
But Public Health England (PHE) says the infections data is not conclusive, although it does recommend supplements. These, it says, should be taken for improved bone and muscle health. Read more
Independent: Vitamin D supplements ‘the key to beating colds and flu’, study finds
ITV news: Vitamin D pills ‘key to beating colds and flu’ says study
Guardian: Vitamin D ‘proved to cut risk of colds and flu’
ME Association: Vitamin D supplements may help to prevent viral and bacterial infections
More info about Vitamin D and other supplements:
Independent: Five ways to boost your Vitamin D levels
Dr Lapp’s Recommendations on Supplements
Independent: Can you get a suntan and absorb vitamin D through a window?
