Can vitamin D prevent colds?

Vitamin D is said to prevent flu and colds. But to what extent is this message correct?

British scientists found that people who use vitamin D daily have a 12% lower risk of respiratory infections such as colds, flu, pneumonia and bronchitis. The effect was mainly seen in people who already had a vitamin D deficiency and in people with asthma.

The results seem promising at first glance. But if you know that you normally get a cold four times a year, you must take vitamin D every day for two years to prevent one cold. You will still have had seven colds in those two years, even though you took vitamin D every day.

If you still want to prevent respiratory infections, washing your hands regularly and avoiding skin contact with the sick will be more effective. Vitamin C tablets also have no effect on people who have a healthy diet.

Source: https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583.long

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2023-12-11 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025