Vitamin D Supplements Curb Moderate to Severe COPD Exacerbations

Investigators from Queen Mary University of London found vitamin D consumption reduced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patient’s moderate or severe exacerbations by up to 40%

Though a previous trial explored the association between vitamin D and COPD symptoms, it only looked at patients with a severe form of the disease and included less participants, a Queen Mary University of London press release claimed.

For their study, investigators administered 6 oral doses of 3mg of vitamin D twice monthly (n=122) or an equivalent amount placebo (n=118) to 240 patients with moderate to severe COPD and observed them for flare-ups —symptoms that included coughing, formation of mucus, shortness of breath or chest tightness.

After a year of observation, the authors noted vitamin D considerably lowered COPD exacerbations, regardless of their vitamin D levels at the start of study. However, they also reported in Lancet Respiratory Medicine that vitamin D intake did not lower their risk of upper respiratory infection.

Adrian Martineau, the study’s lead author, commented, “Our findings suggest that patients with COPD should have their vitamin D status tested and should begin taking supplements if their levels are found to be low.”