Natural Flu Remedies - Can Vitamin D Replace the Flu Shot?

Vitamin D is one of the best natural flu remedies- People north of the 42 latitude (Boston) cannot get
because it boosts the immune system. Most healthenough vitamin D during the late fall and winter
practitioners would still recommend the fluSkin Color
vaccine...but would support an increased vitamin D- People with dark skin pigmentation may need 20 -
dosage as part of a flu prevention strategy.30 times as much exposure to sunlight as fair-skinned
Experts widely agree that Vitamin D is invaluable atpeople to generate sufficient vitamin D.
boosting the immune system and acts as one of theSunscreen
natural flu remedies. But studies in both the United- Even weak sunscreens (SPF=8) block our body's
States and Canada have shown that over 80% ofability to generate vitamin D by 95%.
the population is vitamin D deficient in the winterMedical Condition
when radiation from the sun is too weak for our skin- Some medical conditions such as Crohn's disease,
to produce Vitamin D. Is it just a coincidence that thecystic fibrosis, and celiac disease affect the intestine's
flu season arrives in the winter when our immuneability to absorb vitamin D and may cause vitamin D
system is weak? Many experts believe not.deficiency.The Vitamin D Council suggests that people
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?living north of the 32 latitude (as compared to the 42
While there is widespread agreement that vitamin Dlatitude identified by other researchers) may consider
affects our immune system, there is also researchthe following program to maintain optimal blood levels:
that suggests vitamin D deficiency increases the risk- Late Fall and Winter: 5,000 IU
of getting the flu. Research about H1N1 has found- Early Fall and Spring: 2,000 IU
that the groups most affected by the flu are those- Summer: regular sunbathing may be sufficient
most likely to be vitamin D deficient: pregnantHOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE GETTING
women, obese people, those with Type II diabetesENOUGH?
and children with neurological disorders. Many of theThe best way to ensure we are getting enough
deaths associated with the HINI virus have beenvitamin D is to check our blood levels through a
pneumonia related-which is also exacerbated by aregular 25(OH) D blood test. Unfortunately, the range
weak immune system.that is considered acceptable is large and your doctor
HOW MUCH VITAMIN D DO WE NEED?may say that your Vitamin D level is fine when it
The skin produces approximately 10,000 IU vitamin Dreally is not optimal for preventing infection. So what
in response to 20-30 minutes of sun exposure in theis the optimal range?
summer. People who get consistent exposure toMany vitamin D researchers recommend a blood level
sunlight south of the 42nd latitude (Boston city) mayof 40-60 ng/ml. The Vitamin D Council recommends
not need vitamin D supplements. But for those of usmaintaining 25(OH)D blood levels at 50-80 ng/ml both
who live in northern regions and are seeking naturalin the summer and winter. For many people, vitamin
flu remedies, our vitamin D dosage may need to besupplements of 2,000-5,000 IU daily will help them to
increased depending on the following factors:reach and maintain these recommended blood levels.
AgeRather than relying exclusively on vaccines for
- The skin's ability to produce vitamin D decreasespreventing the flu, strengthening the immune system
with age, putting men and women over the age ofby raising the vitamin D dosage can be one of the
50 at increased risk.most effective natural flu remedies. The informed
Obesitypublic can do this independently and at a modest cost
- Fat cells can extract vitamin D from the blood.with supplements. But monitoring blood levels in
People with a BMI of 30 or more often have lowpartnership with our health practitioner is the
blood levels of vitamin D.preferred approach for adding vitamin D to our list of
Latitudenatural flu remedies.