Vitamin D can reduce EBV reactivation

Maintaining vitamin D status without sunlight exposure is difficult without supplementation. 

This study was done to look at interrelationship between periodic vitamin D supplementation and immune function in Antarctic workers. 

Two oral dose regimens of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and immune function were evaluated in people in Antarctica with no UV light exposure for 6 months. 

Participants were given either 2000U of vitamin D daily or 10,000 IU of vitamin D weekly for 6 months  during a winter in Antarctica. 

Study participants with higher serum vitamin D were less likely to shed Epstein-Barr virus in their saliva. 

"This study provides a hint that vitamin D supplementation that results in higher blood vitamin D levels many suppress EBV within the body. Interesting? We think very interesting and trying to work out how EBV and vitamin D interact with each other. We need to know how risk factors for MS interact with each other."

Zwart et al. Response to vitamin D supplementation during Antarctic winter is related to BMI, and supplementation can mitigate Epstein-Barr Virus Reactivation. J Nutr. 2011 Apr 1;141(4):692-7.

Extra reading: vitamin D, EBV