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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCoronavirus: Vitamin D reduces infection and impact of COVID-19, studies find
Yet another article about recent studies that show the benefits of Vitamin D to mitigate Covid-19.
African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be deficient. Darker skin obviously helps protect it from sunburn, but it also makes it more difficult to convert sunlight to Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a very inexpensive supplement. (I don't recommend overdoing it since too much can cause other problems.)
Dr. Fauci recently stated during an interview that his only dietary supplements are Vitamin D and Vitamin C.
Anyway, here's today's article from SkyNews:
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-vitamin-d-reduces-infection-and-impact-of-covid-19-studies-find-12081132
Coronavirus: Vitamin D reduces infection and impact of COVID-19, studies find
People are being urged to take a vitamin D supplement to reduce their risk of becoming infected with COVID-19.
By Alexander Martin, Technology reporter @AJMartinSky
Friday 25 September 2020 19:33, UK
Patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience complications and die from COVID-19, according to a new study in the US, while another has found it also reduces infection rates.
Vitamin D sufficiency was linked with a significantly decreased level of inflammatory markets, and higher blood levels of immune cells, in new research from Boston University's school of medicine.
The higher levels of lymphocytes were tied to the reduction in cytokine storms - the release of too many proteins into the blood too quickly - which is one of the ways the coronavirus infections can kill.
Blood samples to measure vitamin D levels were taken from 235 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, explained the study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
These patients were followed for clinical outcomes including the severity of their infections, whether they lost consciousness, if they had difficulty breathing to the point of becoming hypoxic, or if they died.
In patients older than 40, those who had sufficient levels of vitamin D were more than 51% less likely to die than patients who were deficient.
According to Dr Michael Holick, who recently published another study finding that sufficient vitamin D can reduce the risk of catching the coronavirus by 54%, the vitamin can also help against other viruses affecting the upper respiratory tract.
"There is great concern that the combination of an influenza infection and a coronal viral infection could substantially increase hospitalisations and death due to complications from these viral infections," Dr Holick said.
"Because vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is so widespread in children and adults in the US and worldwide, especially in the winter months, it is prudent for everyone to take a vitamin D supplement to reduce risk of being infected and having complications from COVID-19," he added.
renate
(13,776 posts)A great public service announcement. Thank you!
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,853 posts)Several studies around the world have been indicating the benefit of Vitamin D to reduce the worst effects of Covid-19. Some larger randomized studies are currently underway, as I understand it.
Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)sprinkleeninow
(20,246 posts)Silent3
(15,210 posts)...ever since. Odds are against me having contracted COVID so far anyway (New Hampshire has managed to keep the infection rate low all along so far, and I've personally be careful), but who knows if maybe, by chance, I needed that extra protection, and had it when I needed it?
Disaffected
(4,554 posts)(as a supplement)?
CountAllVotes
(20,868 posts)You can buy it at any store.
I'm taking 125 mcg a day as I have a history of a severe deficiency of vitamin D.
Best of luck and take care!!
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,853 posts)... children at 400 and the elderly at 800.
That's a very conservative amount, though, from what I've read.
It takes a lot to reach toxicity levels that damage the kidneys, etc. On the other hand, it can also build up over time in our fat.
So I'm not really sure!
I'm only taking about 1400 IU a day -- 400 IU from a multi-vitamin and 1000 IU from a separate Vitamin D3 supplement (which also has Vitamin K2 to help direct any raised blood calcium to the bones).
It's often recommended that people get their serum level measured by a lab to get a better idea of any needed supplements.
Disaffected
(4,554 posts)I'm taking 1,000 IUs/d so guess that's in the ballpark.
diane in sf
(3,913 posts)gotten a lot of their D from fish oils since there are so many dark months. Ive taken that amount, with foods with fat for at least 10 years. The RDAs are ridiculously low. Best bet is to get a blood test for your levels, supplement, and retest in a couple months, adjust your dose up or down accordingly. I work around lots of college kids and almost never get sick.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,853 posts)I think the RDA is too low too!
I have a rare genetic condition that causes calcification of elastic tissue, so I'm naturally wary of raising my blood calcium too much -- since Vitamin D helps us to absorb calcium in addition to regulating pretty much every aspect of the immune system.
Yeah, fatty fish is a great natural source for it! It's believed that Vitamin D was the major reason that skin turned more pale after some humans left Africa long ago, but not so much if people ate lots of fish (like the long-time natives of Alaska).
dhill926
(16,337 posts)is abundant sunshine. My D levels are fantastic....