A woman wondering about her asthma inhaler

Vitamin D May Curb Asthma Attacks

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Adding vitamin D supplements to standard asthma treatments may significantly lower the risk of severe attacks. Researchers pooled results from seven randomized, controlled trials. They found that taking D supplements led to a 30 percent reduction in asthma attacks requiring steroid or injection-related treatments, and a 50 percent reduction in asthma attacks that required hospitalization.

Vitamin D may protect against such attacks by reducing airway inflammation and boosting immune responses to viruses. "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. He added that the vitamin is safe to take and inexpensive.

Sources

"Vitamin D Protects Against Severe Asthma Attacks," Queen Mary University of London, 10/3/17