It is well known that a lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets in childhood, but did you know sunshine, or the vitamin it helps your body to produce, can affect lung function?
A recent study by researchers at National Jewish Health found that asthmatic children who take vitamin D supplements can reduce their reliance on asthma medication.
The study looked at the medical records of 100 children with asthma and found that nearly half of them had low levels of vitamin D, with 17 per cent being vitamin D deficient.
The researchers found that those with low vitamin D levels were affected by a greater number of allergens, had poorer lung function and relied more heavily on steroids and other medication than those with higher levels.
They also discovered that vitamin D increased the effectiveness of corticosteroid dexamethasone – a drug used in the treatment of childhood asthma.
An earlier study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that children who had low levels of vitamin D suffered more severe asthma symptoms than those with higher levels.
As well as lung function, a lack of this vitamin in children can result in lower levels of good cholesterol, high levels of blood sugars and higher blood pressure than children with good levels of vitamin D.
Unlike many other vitamins, vitamin D is found in very few foods naturally: Oily fish contains it and margarine and many breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D. Your main source comes from your own body and its reaction to sunlight.
So it has never been more important for you and your family to spend time outdoors and have a healthy diet. It is just one more way to help keep your child’s asthma under control.