From 10 Colds a Year to Almost None
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Do you find yourself constantly battling colds and flu whilst your friends seem immune? If you're perpetually under the weather, catching every bug that goes around, the culprit might be a vitamin D deficiency.
I know this firsthand because I used to be that person—the one who was always ill. I'm talking about 10 colds and 3-4 bouts of strep throat or tonsillitis every single autumn, winter, and early spring. It was exhausting, frustrating, and honestly felt never-ending.
Then I discovered something that changed everything: my vitamin D levels were rock bottom. After starting regular D3 supplementation and making some lifestyle changes (including spending more time outside), the constant cycle of illness finally broke. Now, if I do catch something, it's much, much better—it goes away far quicker and usually without the usual hassle like fever and being completely knocked out for days.
Recent research has revealed something crucial: vitamin D plays a significant role in immune function and may help your body's natural defences work more effectively.
@epsilonlife Always the one catching every bug going around? If you're constantly getting ill with flu and viral infections whilst everyone else stays healthy, you might be deficient in vitamin D—and it's time to get your levels checked. Here's what most people don't realise: vitamin C helps fight infections once you have them, but vitamin D prevents them from happening in the first place. It's your immune system's first line of defence. If you're always poorly, low vitamin D could be the reason. The problem? Not all vitamin D supplements actually work. Many are too weak or poorly absorbed, which is why people take them for months without seeing any difference. What to do: Get your vitamin D levels tested Choose a potent, high-quality supplement (we recommend our Vitamin D3K2 from Epsilon Life) Take it consistently to build up your immune resilience Stop being the person who's always sick. Prevention is better than cure, and optimising your vitamin D is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself. Check our page for the vitamin D supplement that actually makes a difference 💊 #VitaminDDeficiency #epsilonlife
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Prevention vs. Treatment
Here's the key distinction: vitamin C may help once you have an infection, but vitamin D supports your immune system's baseline function. Both are important, but supporting your body's natural defences proactively makes sense.
What the Research Shows
A 2024 meta-analysis in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology examined data from over 11,000 participants. The findings showed that vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced risk of acute respiratory infections, with more pronounced effects in individuals who were deficient.[1]
Research from the University of Copenhagen published in Nature Immunology in 2023 revealed that vitamin D activates T cells—immune system cells that respond to threats. Without adequate vitamin D, these cells remain less responsive.[2]
A 2023 study in Scientific Reports found that individuals with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL showed greater susceptibility to respiratory viral infections.[3]
Why Are So Many People Deficient?
In the UK, vitamin D deficiency is common. Public Health England estimates approximately 1 in 5 people have low levels, with rates higher during autumn and winter.[4]
Common reasons include:
- Limited sunlight from October to March
- Indoor work environments
- Use of sunscreen (necessary but blocks vitamin D synthesis)
- Darker skin tones requiring more sun exposure
- Age-related decline in vitamin D production
The Supplement Quality Problem
Many people start taking vitamin D but see no improvement. Why? Not all supplements are equally effective.
Many products contain insufficient doses or use vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) rather than the more effective D3 (cholecalciferol). Others lack cofactors like vitamin K2 and magnesium that support proper vitamin D function.
A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that vitamin D3 is approximately 87% more effective at raising vitamin D levels compared to D2.[5]
What You Should Do
1. Get Tested
Get your vitamin D levels checked through a blood test. The NHS recommends levels above 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL), though many practitioners suggest 75-125 nmol/L (30-50 ng/mL) for optimal function.
2. Choose Quality Supplements
Look for:
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), not D2
- Adequate dosing: typically 1000-4000 IU daily, depending on baseline levels
- Vitamin K2: works synergistically with D3
- Oil-based formulations: better absorbed than tablets
Our Vitamin D3K2 supplement combines optimal doses of D3 with K2 in an easily absorbed format—it's the one I take daily.
3. Be Consistent
Vitamin D builds up over time. It typically takes 2-3 months of consistent supplementation to reach optimal levels. Take it daily with a meal containing fat for best absorption.
4. Consider Lifestyle Changes
Supplementation is important, but don't underestimate the power of getting outside more often. Even on cloudy UK days, outdoor time supports your overall wellbeing and complements your supplementation routine.
5. Monitor and Adjust
Retest after 3 months to ensure you're in the optimal range, then adjust accordingly.
The Bottom Line
If you're constantly falling ill, don't accept it as normal. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common and easily addressable nutritional gaps.
The research is clear: adequate vitamin D levels support healthy immune function. With the right supplementation strategy and some lifestyle adjustments, you can support your body's natural defences.
I went from being ill constantly to having normal, manageable winters. It's made an enormous difference to my quality of life, and it could do the same for you.
Start optimising your vitamin D levels today.
Ready to support your immune health? Get our Vitamin D3K2 directly from our website or through Amazon UK.
References:
[1] Jolliffe DA, et al. (2024). The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 12(2), 121-134.
[2] Kongsbak M, et al. (2023). Nature Immunology, 24, 577-589.
[3] Brenner H, et al. (2023). Scientific Reports, 13, 4512.
[4] Public Health England. (2023). Vitamin D and health report.
[5] Tripkovic L, et al. (2022). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 107(5), e2146-e2155.