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'No proof' vitamin D stops colds | 'No proof' vitamin D stops colds |
(about 5 hours later) | |
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online | By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online |
Scientists say they can find no convincing evidence to show that taking vitamin D supplements will fend off a cold. | Scientists say they can find no convincing evidence to show that taking vitamin D supplements will fend off a cold. |
A New Zealand team did the "gold standard" of tests - a randomised placebo-controlled trial - to see what impact the supplements would have. | A New Zealand team did the "gold standard" of tests - a randomised placebo-controlled trial - to see what impact the supplements would have. |
The 161 people who took daily vitamin D for 18 months caught as many colds as the 161 who took fake pills. | The 161 people who took daily vitamin D for 18 months caught as many colds as the 161 who took fake pills. |
The study was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. | The study was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
But a leading UK cold expert said vitamin D was useful. | But a leading UK cold expert said vitamin D was useful. |
Prof Ronald Eccles, of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, said it can give the immune system a much-needed boost during winter when vitamin D reserves may be low. | Prof Ronald Eccles, of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, said it can give the immune system a much-needed boost during winter when vitamin D reserves may be low. |
He said he takes it every year as a precaution. | He said he takes it every year as a precaution. |
"There is sufficient information to indicate that vitamin D is a vital vitamin for the immune system. | "There is sufficient information to indicate that vitamin D is a vital vitamin for the immune system. |
"Supplementation might help to support the immune system over the winter when we are short of vitamin D." | "Supplementation might help to support the immune system over the winter when we are short of vitamin D." |
He said echinacea supplements may also help ward off coughs and colds, but added: "Supplements do not work for everybody because people's immune systems are different. It's not a case of one size fits all." | He said echinacea supplements may also help ward off coughs and colds, but added: "Supplements do not work for everybody because people's immune systems are different. It's not a case of one size fits all." |
They are pointless unless you are deficient, he said. | They are pointless unless you are deficient, he said. |
We get most of our vitamin D from sunlight on our skin, but it is also found in certain foods like oily fish, eggs and breakfast cereals. | We get most of our vitamin D from sunlight on our skin, but it is also found in certain foods like oily fish, eggs and breakfast cereals. |
Most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need by eating a healthy balanced diet and by getting some summer sun. | Most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need by eating a healthy balanced diet and by getting some summer sun. |
The study, carried out in New Zealand, which gets more sunshine annually than the UK, found the vitamin D supplements increased blood levels of the vitamin. | The study, carried out in New Zealand, which gets more sunshine annually than the UK, found the vitamin D supplements increased blood levels of the vitamin. |
But this had no significant impact on the rate or severity of colds. | |
The vitamin D group caught an average 3.7 colds per person compared with 3.8 colds per person for the placebo group. | The vitamin D group caught an average 3.7 colds per person compared with 3.8 colds per person for the placebo group. |
There was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of days missed off work as a result of cold symptoms or duration of symptoms. | There was no significant difference between the two groups in the number of days missed off work as a result of cold symptoms or duration of symptoms. |
Adults catch between two to four colds a year and children up to 10 a year. | Adults catch between two to four colds a year and children up to 10 a year. |
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