The antibiotic vitamin: deficiency in vitamin D may predispose people to infection

Science News, Nov 11, 2006 by Janet Raloff

It's possible, he says, that a shortfall in vitamin D might seriously compromise that defense.

Gombart's group is developing rodents in which vitamin D modulates cathelicidin.

Until such lab animals are available, vitamin D's impact--even on flu risk--"should be explored in clinical trials," Zasloff says, because the treatment poses little risk to people.

Moreover, he argues, the payoff from any positive finding "would be amazing. Imagine being able to block the spread of epidemic flu with appropriate doses of this vitamin."