Abstract
Vitamin D generates many extraskeletal effects due to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) which is present in most tissues throughout the body. The possible role of vitamin D in infections is implied from its impact on the innate and adaptive immune responses. A significant effect is also the suppression of inflammatory processes. Because vitamin D could be acknowledged as a “seasonal stimulus”, as defined by R. Edgar Hope-Simpson, it would be crucial to prove it from a potential easy and cheap prophylaxis or therapy support perspective as far as influenza infections are concerned. The survey of the literature data generates some controversies and doubts about the possible role of vitamin D in the prevention of influenza virus. The most important point is to realise that the broad spectrum of this vitamin’s activity does not exclude such a possibility. According to most of the authors, more randomized controlled trials with effective, large populations are needed to explore the preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on viral influenza infections.
Highlights
The popularity of vitamin D as a vitamin with a broad spectrum of activity is still growing.There are many papers published each year about its properties, including ensuring our bone health.we know that vitamin D is associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiac, and gastrointestinal diseases, and, most interestingly, even with events of unknown etiology, such as inflammatory bowel disease [1]
Through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), vitamin D can modulate the innate and acquired immune system. This has prompted the idea of exploring the impact of vitamin D on the efficacy of our immune system in fighting off difficult-to-treat viral infections, such as influenza, especially because reaching an optimal level of this “medicine” is cheap and easy for everybody
The survey of the literature concerning the role of vitamin D in the immune system and immunization, especially against influenza viruses, does not give an unequivocal and one-word answer of “yes” or “no” to the questions: “Does vitamin D supplementation enhance the host’s resistance to influenza?” and “Does vitamin D supplementation play a role in the therapy of viral infection diseases?”
Summary
The popularity of vitamin D as a vitamin with a broad spectrum of activity is still growing.There are many papers published each year about its properties, including ensuring our bone health.we know that vitamin D is associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiac, and gastrointestinal diseases, and, most interestingly, even with events of unknown etiology, such as inflammatory bowel disease [1]. The popularity of vitamin D as a vitamin with a broad spectrum of activity is still growing. New perspectives on vitamin D activity and targets are very important from, the scientific point of view, but, and this is crucial, because of increasing awareness of the deficiency of this vitamin in different populations across the world and the need for its supplementation. Through the VDR, vitamin D can modulate the innate and acquired immune system. This has prompted the idea of exploring the impact of vitamin D on the efficacy of our immune system in fighting off difficult-to-treat viral infections, such as influenza, especially because reaching an optimal level of this “medicine” is cheap and easy for everybody
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