After analyzing data from 955 participants with mainly mild-to-moderate asthma in multiple controlled trials, researchers found that vitamin D supplementation led to a 30 percent reduction in the rate of asthma attacks requiring treatment with injections or steroid tablets, as well as a 50 percent reduction in the risk at least one attack requiring emergency services and/or hospitalization, according to a press release.
"Vitamin D is safe to take and relatively inexpensive, so supplementation represents a potentially cost-effective strategy to reduce this problem," Dr. Martineau said.
More research still needs to be done in order to conclusively verify the results, but, hey—living a wheeze-free life is now more than just a pipe—er, inhaler—dream. But how does something as simple as vitamin D cut the risk of a severe attack in half? Researchers think the supplement protects you simply by providing the immune system a boost that makes it stronger in fighting off respiratory viruses and keeping airway inflammation at bay.
“These results add to the ever growing body of evidence that vitamin D can support immune function as well as bone health," said lead researcher Adrian Martineau, PhD, in the release. "Vitamin D is safe to take and relatively inexpensive, so supplementation represents a potentially cost-effective strategy to reduce this problem."
Interested in vitamin D? Schedule an appointment with your doc to see how much you might need in order to reap the most asthma-ridding benefits. Who knows? The drugstore supplement could save your life.
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