How Vitamin D Protects Against Respiratory Infections

Spring is just around the corner, and the winter flu season is on its way out. However, we are still dealing with some aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Omicron variant. Protecting and boosting your immune system is still important.

Vitamin D plays a key role in keeping your immune system strong to help fight against respiratory infections. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that you need for immune function, brain, muscle, bone, and mental health. Even though vitamin D is so important to our health, most of the American population is deficient in this crucial vitamin.

Let’s take a deeper look at what vitamin D is, how it and your immune system work together, vitamin D levels and viral infections, and vitamin D and the flu.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin your body needs to function well. It is vital for your immune function, bone and muscle health, brain function, and mental health as well as other health issues.

When the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays reach your skin, it initiates vitamin D synthesis in your body. This is the optimum way to obtain your vitamin D needs. You can also obtain vitamin D by consuming fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel, beef liver, egg yolks, and mushrooms.