What is the flu?

Flu (technically called influenza) is a contagious disease caused by a virus.  It normally emerges in the cold months of winter, and then fades back into the woodwork in the spring, though it can occur sporadically the rest of the year.

It can rapidly spread around the world in seasonal epidemics, imposing considerable economic burden in the form of health care costs and lost productivity.

It’s a scary subject because major genetic changes in the virus caused three influenza pandemics in the early 20th century, killing many millions of people.  We’re all concerned about the potential spread of bird flu or swine flu or some potential new form because it could be another pandemic.

What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Flu (influenza) does not follow the patterns for other infectious diseases.  It is seasonal, explosive, and epidemics end abruptly.

We think It has something to do with what happens to our immune system in the colder, darker winter months.  One way that we are weakened during winter:  we don’t get enough sunlight on our skin, and our vitamin D production plummets.  During the summer months (or a winter vacation in the south) we can sun bathe, but not in the dark of a northern winter.

Scientists are beginning to think that flu epidemics are a result of a dormant disease, which becomes active in response to vitamin D deficiency.

This theory provides answers for many of the above questions. A disease that remains dormant until vitamin D-producing sunlight exposure is reduced by a winter or rainy season would explain a widespread seasonal disease with a rapid onset and decline.

There is compelling evidence that indicates vitamin D deficiency is just such a “seasonal stimulus.” Recent evidence confirms that lower respiratory tract infections are more frequent, sometimes dramatically so, in those with low levels of vitamin D.

Researchers have also found that 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day abolished the seasonality of the flu, and dramatically reduced its self-reported incidence.  So, a word to the wise is to take Vitamin D supplements, and we think that D3 is the best form of the vitamin.

Resource Center:

• FluFacts according to the Department of Health and Human Resources
• NY Times Health Guide
• Web MD

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