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London, January 22, 2026 – A severe vitamin D deficiency may substantially raise your risk of needing hospitalization for common respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. New research reveals individuals with critically low levels of the vitamin-below 15 nmol/L-were 33 percent more likely to be admitted to the hospital for treatment compared to those with sufficient vitamin D (at least 75 nmol/L).
Vitamin D & Respiratory Health: A Critical Link
A new study highlights the vital role vitamin D plays in fighting off respiratory infections.
- Severe vitamin D deficiency (below 15 nmol/L) is linked to a 33% higher hospitalization rate for respiratory infections.
- For every 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D levels, hospitalization rates decreased by 4%.
- The study analyzed data from 36,258 participants in the UK Biobank, making it the largest of its kind.
- Supplementation,especially during winter,may reduce infection risk,particularly for older adults and ethnic minorities.
Q: How much vitamin D do I need to stay healthy? A: While government recommendations suggest 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, maintaining levels of at least 75 nmol/L appears to offer significant protection against severe respiratory illness, according to this research.
The largest study of its kind, analyzing data from the UK Biobank, investigated the connection between vitamin D status and hospitalization rates due to respiratory tract infections. Researchers from the University of Surrey, collaborating with the University of Reading and University of Oxford, focused on middle-aged and older adults, a demographic particularly vulnerable to these infections. Lower respiratory tract infections-including pneumonia and bronchitis-remain among the top 20 causes of death globally, and can make an individual feel vrey unwell in many cases, they can also lead to hospitalization which puts strain on an already stretched health service.”
“Our findings of a significant association between increased vitamin D levels in our bodies and reduced hospital admission rates warrants further study, and points to the potential for vitamin D supplementation and consumption of vitamin D fortified foods to reduce the risk of hospitalization with respiratory infections in the future, and therefore mitigate pressures on the NHS,” Dr. Darling added.
The study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.