High intake of vitamins may be linked to fewer respiratory complaints in adults, suggests an analysis of nationally representative long-term survey data.
The findings warrant further study among different ethnic groups and geographies in view of the current pandemic, suggest the researchers.
The study used information provided by 6115 adult participants in the 2008-2016 National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme who had completed three or more days of diet diaries.
Overall, respiratory complaints were found in 33 adult patients aged 19 years and above.
After adjustment for potential confounders, a negative association was observed between the intake of vitamin A and E intake from diet and supplements and respiratory complaints.
For vitamin D, intake from supplements but not diet, was inversely significantly associated with respiratory complaints.
No association was observed between vitamin C and respiratory complaints. It was not possible to determine any associations with vitamin C supplements as none of the adults with respiratory complaints said they took them.
The finding of an association between vitamin D intake from supplements, but not diet, and lower respiratory complaints add to the current scientific debate on this topic. Several studies have previously reported an inverse association between vitamin D intake and the incidence of respiratory disorders. However, in a UK BioBank Study, no association was observed between blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and COVID-19 infection.
Presenting the findings in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, the authors said the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that supplementation is critical to ensuring adequate vitamin D status is maintained and potentially indicate that the intake of vitamin D from diet alone cannot help maintain adequate vitamin D status.
