One dose wonder

Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be anything more to add to vitamin D’s lengthy roster of benefits, I came across news of a study that showed yet another one — maybe one of the most impressive to date.

Researchers at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Imperial College in London found that this nutrient has such strong immune-boosting power that it can fight tuberculosis (TB) and other bacteria for at least six weeks. After a single dose. And a single 2.5 milligram dose at that.

The research team based their study on a previous finding showing that over 90 percent of the participants who had been exposed to TB had significant vitamin D deficiency. From there, they divided the subjects into two groups. One group was given a single 2.5 milligram vitamin D supplement. The other was given a placebo. Researchers then took blood samples from both groups and examined the samples to see if the vitamin D had any effect on the immune system’s reaction to the TB bacteria. The results were so strong that the researchers concluded that vitamin D “could make a significant impact on the health of people most at risk from the disease.”

Of course, the research team suggests fortifying various foods — particularly milk and orange juice — with this all-important nutrient. But we both know that dairy products and sugar-laden juices cause more problems than they solve — even with the addition of vitamin D.

The best way to up your levels is to get more sunshine so that your body can use the sun’s UV rays to produce the vitamin. And right now is the best time of year for us all to take advantage of this “free supplementation.”

Dr. Wright recommends being out in the sun without sunscreen and with your arms and face exposed until your skin starts to turn just slightly pink. Then you can head back into the shade and reap the benefits of that vitamin D.