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

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting the immune system and reducing the risk or severity of respiratory infections, including the common cold (which may present with fever). The scientific rationale hinges on vitamin D’s ability to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Vitamin D receptors are present on immune cells, and its active form can enhance the production of antimicrobial peptides that help fight off infections.

Several meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials have examined vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections. A widely cited 2017 meta-analysis in the journal BMJ concluded that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a modestly reduced risk of acute respiratory infections, especially in individuals with low baseline vitamin D levels. The benefit appeared greater in those with significant deficiency and when supplementation was regular (i.e., daily or weekly).

However, the evidence is not uniformly strong. Not all studies have found a clear benefit, and there is variability in dosage, baseline vitamin D status, and populations studied. Importantly, while vitamin D may reduce the risk of developing respiratory infections, there is less evidence that it is effective as a treatment for an established cold with fever. Most guidelines suggest supplementation primarily for individuals at risk of deficiency, rather than as a universal remedy for colds.

In summary, there is moderate scientific support for vitamin D in reducing the risk of respiratory infections, but its efficacy specifically for treating colds with fever is less clear.

More about vitamin D
More about Colds (with fever)

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