Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL)

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(Off Topic – Regarding Vitamin D)

Here are a number of PubMed articles substantiating vitamin D suppression of influenza and respiratory infections.

Few studies, however, have been conducted using adequate supplementation, in the realm of 5000 IU per day. This article is a good start. Then check the PUBMed references below:

Informative Article:
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter-epidemic-influenza-and-vitamin-d/#.W_1qIvZFyCg

PubMed articles:

The role of UV radiation and vitamin D in the seasonality and outcomes of infectious disease.
“...influenza A virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, have strong evidence to support their interaction with vitamin D”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28078341

Indoor Staying During Winter Season Makes People More Susceptible to Flu.
“Formulation of policy regarding vitamin D supplementation in diet for people such as elderly and with low sunlight exposure is hereby recommended. It will be beneficial to reduce influenza related morbidity and mortality during winter season.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27426715

An update on the association of vitamin D deficiency with common infectious diseases.
“Over the last decade, an increasing body of evidence has shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk for acquiring several infectious diseases, as well as poorer outcomes in vitamin D deficient patients with infections. This review details recent developments in understanding the role of vitamin D in immunity, ...”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25741906

Vitamin D: a new anti-infective agent?
“An association has been established between low levels of vitamin D and upper respiratory and enteric infections, pneumonia, otitis media, Clostridium infections, vaginosis, urinary tract infections, sepsis, influenza, dengue, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV infections. Accumulating evidence suggests that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 exerts protective effects during infections by upregulating the expression of cathelicidin and ß-defensin 2 in phagocytes and epithelial cells. Vitamin D may be acting as a panaceal antibiotic agent and thus may be useful as an adjuvant therapy in diverse infections.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24593793

Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
“RESULTS: Events of respiratory tract infections were significantly lower in vitamin D group as compared to control group....
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23326099
CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation decreases the events related to respiratory tract infections.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23326099

Translating the role of vitamin D3 in infectious diseases.
"Vitamin D(3) affects both the innate as well as adaptive immune responses. Epidemiological studies have established that vitamin D(3) deficiency plays an important role in tuberculosis (TB) and viral influenza prevalence as well as susceptibility to active disease in TB. Vitamin D(3) status has been associated with the clinical course of HIV infection and drug interaction with anti-retroviral therapy."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22304022

Vitamin D status has a linear association with seasonal infections and lung function in British adults.
“The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of current vitamin D status (measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D) with respiratory infections and lung function. ... Each 10 nmol/l increase in 25(OH)D was associated with a 7 % lower risk of infection (95 % CI 3, 11 %) after adjustment for adiposity, lifestyle and socio-economic factors. For FEV1 and FVC, each 10 nmol/l increase in 25(OH)D was associated with 8 (95 % CI 3, 13) ml and 13 (95 % CI 7, 20) ml higher volume, respectively, after controlling for covariates. ... In conclusion, vitamin D status had a linear relationship with respiratory infections and lung function.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21736791

The seasonality of pandemic and non-pandemic influenzas: the roles of solar radiation and vitamin D.
“In temperate latitudes even pandemic influenzas often show a clear seasonality. The data support the hypothesis that high fluences of UVB radiation (vitamin D level), as occur in
the summer, act in a protective manner with respect to influenza.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21036090

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d and the incidence of acute viral respiratory tract infections in healthy adults.
“CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Maintenance of a 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum concentration of 38 ng/ml or higher should significantly reduce the incidence of acute viral respiratory tract infections and the burden of illness caused thereby, at least during the fall and winter in temperate zones.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20559424

Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren.
“CONCLUSION: This study suggests that vitamin D(3) supplementation during the winter may reduce the incidence of influenza A, especially in specific subgroups of schoolchildren.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219962

Epidemic influenza and vitamin D.
“Vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections. Ultraviolet radiation (either from artificial sources or from sunlight) reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections, as does cod liver oil (which contains vitamin D). An interventional study showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16959053

Vitamin D supplementation reduces occurrence of acute respiratory infections
“A new clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that vitamin D supplementation acute respiratory infections (ARI) in nursing home residents. The researchers aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation had an effect on respiratory infections among 107 nursing home residents. A total of 55 participants received high doses of vitamin D monthly (averaging between 3,300-4,300 IU/day), and 52 participants were given lower monthly doses (averaging between 400-1000 IU/day). The participants were assessed over a period of 12 months.”
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin-d-supplementation-reduces-occurrence-of-acute-respiratory-infections/#.W_1oPPZFyCg