Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Contagious Diseases

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin D is supported by scientific evidence for its role in immune function, which underpins its use in the context of contagious diseases. Research over the past two decades has shown that vitamin D modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses. Vitamin D receptors are present on immune cells, and its deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infection, particularly respiratory tract infections. Several observational studies have linked lower vitamin D levels to higher rates of infections such as influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses suggest that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of acute respiratory tract infections, especially in individuals who are deficient.

However, the evidence is not uniformly strong across all contagious diseases, and results from intervention trials can be mixed. For instance, while some studies during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that vitamin D supplementation might reduce disease severity and improve outcomes, other trials did not find significant benefits. Vitamin D is not a substitute for vaccines or other established treatments, but it may play an adjunctive, preventive role, particularly in populations at risk for deficiency. Ongoing research continues to clarify optimal dosing and target populations. In summary, there is moderate scientific validation for vitamin D’s use in supporting immune health and potentially reducing the risk or severity of certain contagious diseases, justifying its evidence rating of 3 out of 5.

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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