A dose of Vitamin D can keep TB at bay

A study conducted by Queen Marys School of Medicine and Imperial College researchers has revealed that a dose of Vitamin D may help keep tuberculosis at bay.

London, May 14 : A study conducted by Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Imperial College researchers has revealed that a dose of Vitamin D may help keep tuberculosis at bay.

In the study of 131 people, it was found that the vitamin helped to hold back the respiratory disease.

Blood samples of the participants were taken and infected with mycobacteria.

The group was then divided into two and one group was given a dummy pill and the rest were given a 2.5mg dose of vitamin D.

After a month and a half, blood samples were taken again and infected with mycobacteria.

When the blood samples were analysed after a day, it was found that growth of bacteria in the samples taken from people was 20% less than the placebo group.

Lead researcher Dr Adrian Martineau said that a simple cheap supplement can make a significant impact on the disease.

"This shows that a simple, cheap supplement could make a significant impact on the health of people most at risk from the disease." The BBC quoted Martineau, as saying.

"What makes this potentially a very good intervention is that it is cheap and easy to administer," Professor Peter Davies, a chest specialist, added.

The study appeared in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

ANI