Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

I recently saw a news article in which vitamin D was suggested for preventing Swine Flu. Is there any basis for this idea? Should I use vitamin D instead of getting a flu shot?

Yes, vitamin D is a potential flu preventative; no, you shouldn't substitute it for a flu shot. There is a lot of excitement in the medical world about vitamin D as a preventative — or even as a treatment! — for a wide variety of problems, including infectious diseases such as influenza and colds. The basic idea is as follows: Vitamin D is essential for certain parts of the immune system to function properly. The body gets much of its vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin. During the fall and winter, most people get too little sunlight exposure and become deficient in vitamin D. Their immunity to flu and colds therefore declines, making them susceptible to flu infections. This is why flu epidemics tend to occur during these months.

Read the full article › › ›