Dear sir
I want to communicate very vital information about H1N1 flu.
According to recent medical research low levels of Vitamin-D are found to be responsible for increased susceptibility against swine flu; at the same it also increases chances of Cytokine storm causing pneumonia and death.
Sun ultra violet rays are the principal source of Vitamin_D. despite adequate sunshine Vitamin_D deficiency is rampant across India because of changed life style and tendency to avoid sun.
Vitamin D deficiency further deteriorates in winter because of poor sunshine and resultant lack of ultra violet rays.
Regular Vitamin D supplementation and Sun Bath would effectively decrease spread of swine flu and could avert fatalities.
I request you to propagate this message across the country to save it from impending winter flu epidemic
With regards
Dr Ashok Kpase MD (pediatrics)
National Chairperson Infectious disease chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics 2005-2006
Vitamin D for Swine flu protection
1. Flu occurs in winters in western countries & in monsoon in tropical countries.
2. Sun ultraviolet rays reach in insufficient quantity during winters & monsoon season. Excessive cloudy atmosphere fog and smoke (pollution) prevents ultraviolet rays reaching to earth.
3. Sun ultraviolet rays are the principal source of Vit-D for human beings & other primates.
4. Vit D is scarcely available from dietary sources except certain fish oil.
Vit D almost does not exist in Vegetarian food.
5. Vit D regulates immunity in human body. Vit D increases innate immunity as soon as virus invades human body and thereby prevents flu infection.
It also down regulates certain arm of acquired immunity which produces intense inflammation (cytokine storm) which inturn causes sever pneumonia and multi organ failure.
6. There is a fear that flu pandemic will become more intense during winter season.
7. Flu viruses assume increased pathogenecity during dry and cold season and human being develop lowest Vit D levels during winter season. Both of these factor increase flu transmission and severity during winter season.
8. Surveys done across the country demonstrate rampant Vit D deficiency among Indian population.
9. It’s extremely essential to increase Vit D status in Indian population to combat swine flu.
10. Suggestions for increasing Vit D status.
a) Take sun bath for 20 min every day. Expose face, arms, legs, and back.
b) Consume fortified milk and milk products.
c) Consume Egg and fish.
d) Supplement 1.2 lac units of Vit D once every month for winter 4 months (Oct to Jan ).
References:
(1) On the epidemiology of influenza
John J Cannell*1, Michael Zasloff2, Cedric F Garland3, Robert Scragg4 and Edward Giovannucci5
Virology Journal 2008, 5:29
(2) Archives of Internal Medicine
2009, Volume 169, Issue 4, Pages 384-390
“Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination
(3) Vitamin D Status in India – Its Implications and Remedial Measures
CV Harinarayan*, Shashank R Joshi**
*Professor and Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati – 517 507, Andhra Pradesh, India. **Consultant Endocrinologist, Lilavati Hospital, Bhatia Hospital and Joshi Clinic, Mumbai.