Taking vitamin D in addition to drugs reduces severe asthma attacks, finds review

Taking an oral vitamin D supplement in addition to standard asthma drugs reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks that require systemic corticosteroids and lowers exacerbations needing hospital admission or emergency department care, a Cochrane review of clinical trials in adults and children with asthma has found.1

Low blood levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased risk of asthma attacks in children and adults with asthma. Several clinical trials have investigated whether vitamin D might improve control of asthma but have …