2 Studies Find Vitamin D May Increase Lung Capacity

By Lee Bowman Scripps Howard News Service

Vitamin D may play a significant role in lung function and the treating of asthma by steroids, two new studies suggest.

A report by New Zealand researchers using data collected in the United States found that people with higher concentrations of vitamin D had much greater lung capacity than those with the lowest quantities.

“The difference in lung function between the highest and lowest quintiles of vitamin D is substantial and greater than the difference between former smokers and people who never smoked,” said Dr. Peter Black, a professor of medicine at the University of Auckland and lead author of the study. It was published Monday in the journal Chest.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes and cancer.

“Although there is a definite relationship between lung function and vitamin D,” Black said, “it is unclear if increases in vitamin D through supplements or dietary intake will actually improve lung function in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.”

The recommended daily dose of vitamin D from supplements is currently 400 International Units for people younger than 60 to at least 700 IU for senior citizens.