Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin D has been scientifically investigated for its potential role in the prevention of colds and other acute respiratory tract infections. Observational studies have shown that individuals with low serum levels of vitamin D tend to have a higher incidence of respiratory infections, including the common cold. Vitamin D is known to play an important role in immune function, particularly in modulating the innate and adaptive immune responses, which are critical for fighting viral infections.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses provide moderate support for the use of vitamin D in reducing the risk of developing colds, especially in individuals who are deficient in the vitamin. For example, a 2017 meta-analysis published in the journal BMJ found that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of acute respiratory infections, particularly among those with baseline vitamin D deficiency. However, the overall effect size was modest, and some studies have reported no significant benefit, especially in people with adequate baseline levels of vitamin D.

Clinical guidelines generally recommend vitamin D supplementation for individuals at risk of deficiency, but not for the general population specifically for cold prevention. In summary, while there is scientific evidence suggesting that vitamin D may help prevent colds in deficient individuals, the evidence is not strong enough to recommend supplementation for this purpose in the general population.

More about vitamin D
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Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

Abrus
Acacia
Agastache
Ajuga
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
berry
beta-glucan
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
borneol
buckthorn
bасора
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chlorella
Chlorophytum
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colostrum
coriander
costus
cowherb
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
Dianthus
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
flavonoids
flowering quince
forsythia
fruit
fungus
galactooligosaccharides
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goji berry
goldthread
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Ilex
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoids
Isatis
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
Lactobacillus brevis
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
lemon
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
Litsea
lodhtree
Lomatium
lovage
luffa
mace
mandarin
marigold
Marshmallow
Meadow sage
Melia
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Nettle
nut grass
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
paw paw
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
Prunus
pumpkin
Pyrrosia
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
sarsaparilla
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
seaweed
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis