Vitamin D may reduce flu-related hospitalisation, large UK study finds

A UK study using UK Biobank data linked low vitamin D levels to higher rates of hospital admission for respiratory infections, reporting that people with severe deficiency were about 33% more likely to be hospitalised than those with optimal levels.

Researchers report new findings linking low vitamin D levels with higher hospital admissions for respiratory infections. The study analysed UK Biobank data and compared people with severe deficiency to those with higher circulating vitamin D. Authors published the results in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and commented on possible population-level effects. The NHS recommendation that people take vitamin D in autumn and winter is noted in the coverage. Key findings: - The analysis used UK Biobank data from roughly 36,000 adults, with 27,872 participants included in the final analysis and 2,255 hospital admissions for respiratory infection recorded. - People with severe vitamin D deficiency (reported as blood concentration below 15 nmol/L) were reported as about 33% more likely to be admitted to hospital with respiratory infections than those with levels of 75 nmol/L or more. - The study found that for each 10 nmol/L increase in circulating vitamin D, the hospital admission rate for respiratory tract infections fell by about 4%. - Lead author Abi Bournout of the University of Surrey is reported to have described vitamin D as having antibacterial and antiviral properties that may reduce the risk of serious respiratory infections. - The article reiterates NHS guidance that a daily supplement of 10 micrograms is recommended in autumn and winter, and that groups such as young children and people with darker skin have higher risk of deficiency. Summary: The study links lower vitamin D status with higher rates of hospitalisation for respiratory infections and reports numerical associations between blood levels and admission risk. The authors suggest that ensuring adequate vitamin D intakes could have population-level influence and that groups with high prevalence of deficiency may warrant focused information; Undetermined at this time.