Vitamin D for the prevention of Hospital Acquired Bloodstream Infections

2014-01-02 11:50:19

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin, and is well known for its role in bone health. However its role in the body extends well beyond simply bone health. Vitamin D deficiency is linked with a variety of conditions including autoimmune disease, various types of infections, type 2 diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases. It has also been shown that vitamin D is necessary for certain kinds of immune cells to be activated and be able to effectively fight infections.⁽¹⁾ Recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has brought to light a serious health issue that may be preventable to some degree with something simple as adequate vitamin D levels. They found that sufficient levels of vitamin D prior to being hospitalized may prevent development of “hospital acquired blood stream infections” (HABSI).⁽²⁾ After adjusting for a number of other possible variables, their results showed that the odds of acquiring HABSI were highest in those with vitamin D levels below 10ng/mL (25nmol/L), while those with elevated levels had significantly decreased risk. Sufficient levels are considered to be at least 30-32ng/mL (75-80nmol/L), or higher. Incidence of HABSI in the United States was nearly 80000 in 2009 among patients hospitalized in intensive care (ICU), with roughly 28000 deaths;⁽³⁾ and these numbers are likely proportionate here in Canada. If these statistics can be lowered by something simple and inexpensive as vitamin D, it would be not only be saving many lives but also the healthcare system a significant amount of associated costs. Next time you visit your doctor make sure you get your vitamin D levels checked and supplement as needed based on your levels.