Vitamin D

[sibesx2]

I have been watching Dr. John Campbell's coronavirus updates on youtube since March and he has always said that vitamin D helps with immunity to respiratory infections. Yesterday he talked about a study in Indonesia that support this.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF9IOB2TExg3QIBupFtBDxg
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3585561 (you may need an account to view this)

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/...ween-vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19-deaths
This is the key findings of the study -

• Majority of the COVID-19 cases with insufficient and deficient Vitamin D status died.

• The odds of death was higher in older and male cases with pre-existing condition and below normal Vitamin D levels.

• When controlling for age, sex, and comorbidity, Vitamin D status is strongly associated with COVID-19 mortality.

Since pigmentation reduces vitamin D production in the skin, could this contribute to the poor outcome to the virus in African Americans? Should everyone consider taking a vitamin D supplement?

 

[_19disnA]

Think I will pass. There are no lack of opinions/hunches/guesses all over the net about this virus. His isn't a medical doctor according to his posted resume, he has a degree in the education field...............PhD focused on the development of open learning resources for nurses nationally and internationally.

That doesn't make him an expert in the medical field.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

It's widely accepted that the strength of people's immune systems is the main determinant of how severely they are affected by COVID. The immune system weakens with age, which is why the elderly tend to have the worst time with it. Children have the strongest immune systems, which is why they get fevers so easily: their bodies readily defend against viruses and infections. Aside from advanced age, many medical conditions, and being badly out of shape, weaken the immune system.

Vitamin D (in moderation) helps the immune system, as does vitamin C and many other antioxidants and nutrients. Healthy eating, exercise, avoiding excessive stress, sleeping well, etc., all contribute to a healthier immune system, as well.

Vitamin D levels are probably lower in someone who has a weaker immune system, but it is likely that other immune-supportive nutrients are also lower, too. I think it's too early to suggest that Vitamin D alone is the crucial factor.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I've been on vitamin D supplements for 5 years because my number was incredibly low, but I was never told it was for my immune system.

I was listening to an episode of the podcast Sawbones (hosted by a physician) and she said these types of theories are just that, theories. No scientific evidence to prove that vitamins and "immunity boosters" will protect you.

 

[ronandannette]

Vitamin D deficiency is a legitimate issue in places like where I live. Winter lasts 6 or 7 months and daylight hours during that time are much shorter than in southern regions. It’s believed to be linked to our rates of MS, which are the highest per capita in the world.

Very early on our news reported recommendations for supplements that might be beneficial in boosting the immune system - Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Zinc. Since there doesn’t seem to be any risk involved, we’ve been taking daily doses since mid-March. For a time it became impossible to find the products in stores but supplies are back to normal now.

 

[Christine]

I can see why this "doctor" would come to this conclusion. I believe data shows that most people, in general, are deficient in Vitamin D unless you leave near the equator. Stands to reason that of the population of people with bad COVID outcomes would also be lacking in Vitamin D because most everyone is. Now maybe that has changed and we have reversed that trend.

 

[MillauFr]

At least taking vitamin D supplements isn't harmful unlike the garbage treatments you hear during several press conferences.

 

[Christine]

At least taking vitamin D supplements isn't harmful unlike the garbage treatments you hear during several press conferences.

True. Like a face covering, Vitamin D in appropriate doses won't hurt you.

 

[John VN]

The combo is D3/K2 in liquid form and for best absorption drops are sublingual.

 

[rwdavis2]

Correlation does not mean causality.

 

[HeatherC]

We take them every day from October to May in my house. We live in New England with lots of cold, gray days between those months. For us, it definitely has an impact on our energy levels as well as helping us not get as many colds and viruses. All of our doctors have told us to take them and they seem to help us.

 

[JoanneAZ]

I take a vitamin d supplement because my blood levels were low and my physician told me how much to take. She said another reason more people have low vitamin d levels is because we now use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer which decreases the sun exposure and absorption for vitamin d production.

 

[Southernmiss]

So many YouTube and Facebook "doctors" have a theory and something to say or sell, especially with the coronavirus.

I've got in person functional medicine docs who have helped me for years. I know what nutrients I run low in and take those specific supplements based on blood work and real in person discussions with my practitioners.

I do think more people should do preventive health based on their body and lifestyle, and watch their diet, exercise, sleep, and get outside more, but that's not done much in the US.

Instead of listening to the newest guy or figure who has found facebook/youtube/internet and a gullible audience.

 

[Kitty 34]

It's why I love sitting in the sun. Was just getting ready all these summers for the nasty Virus.

 

[Meriweather]

Blood work said I don't need more Vitamin D......but then I do live in Arizona.
Usually I am out and about some.......but we are in the pool a lot, so a lot of sun exposure.
108 expected today

 

[DLgal]

This isn't some far flung theory. There are very sound biological reasons why deficiency in vitamin D leads to poor outcomes in fighting viruses. This is not quackery...it is actual proven science.

However, you have to be pretty severely deficient to see these poor outcomes (levels under 20). About 40% of Americans are SLIGHTLY deficient, with a value between 25 and 30. You want to be above 30.

If you don't know, there is no harm in taking a 2000IU Vitamin D3 supplement every day.

There IS harm in taking more than that, if you don't KNOW you are deficient. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, it is not cleared out by your kidneys, and you CAN overdose on it. You don't want to do that.

My last levels measured in October were 37. My doctor has asked me to continue to take a 2000IU supplement daily because I have a tendency for my levels to drop below 30 if I don't.

 

[AustinTink]

I have been on Vitamin D for many years. My levels were in the single digits and i had no idea until I started having pins and needles everyday, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting. I also used to get sick every month with whatever bug was going around at the time.

The doc put me on 50,000 IU's weekly until my numbers were back up. Now I'm on daily maintenance. D deficiency can be hereditary and we found out my son is severely deficient as well.

That said, you can't just start taking vitamin D unless you have a proven deficiency. Not only did my doctor tell me that but we found out the hard way when my husband decided to start taking 1000 daily. He started having muscle cramps and migraines a few days in. He had no deficiency, he just saw how well my body reacted to D and decided to try it himself. Please don't take vitamin D if you don't need it, people. It can do you harm.

I read about the study the OP posted a while back. I jumped online and secured a year's worth of vitamin D for my son and I. Shortly thereafter it was all gone everywhere. This concept of people hoarding medicine and supplements that some people need to take daily to survive, just because of some new theory, is infuriating. I worry I won't be able to find the one vitamin that makes me function when I need it down the road.

 

[AustinTink]

There IS harm in taking more than that, if you don't KNOW you are deficient.

Absolutely true. Saw it happen to my husband.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

To clarify, this guy is a retired nurse teacher and A&E nurse. His doctorate is a PhD in, um, education? Bioscience? It's hard to tell, honestly.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If you don't know, there is no harm in taking a 2000IU Vitamin D3 supplement every day.

Yale Medicate says to take 600IU, 800 if you are older. I'm sure 2000 isn't the end of the world, though.

https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/vitamin-d-myths-debunked/