Vitamin D and COVID-19
Being passionate about preventative medicine and the role of nutrition and natural remedies that help to prevent, treat and heal chronic diseases, we just could not ignore a number of news headlines indicating that more than 80 percent of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 were Vitamin D Deficient. This was something that we had to look into further, having created Battle ONN an Immune System Support Supplement in December 2019 that contained Vitamin D3 and K2 before the Pandemic descended upon the world creating turmoil in its wake.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble steroid hormone that has many different roles in the human body. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, sun is the main way that we naturally exposed to Vitamin D. Vitamin D from the diet or that we get from sun exposure is biologically inactive and must be converted to become active within the body through processes that occur in the skin, liver and kidney.
Vitamin D is very important for optimal health and plays many different roles within the body. It is involved in bone health, and regulation of both the innate and acquired immune systems and vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health problems including, asthma, heart disease, COPD, fatigue, muscle weakness, bone and back pain, more prone to colds, flu, pneumonia and many more.
Vitamin D and COVID-19
A recent study (reference) from Spain found that over 82% of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were deficient in Vitamin D. This was compared to a healthy control group (those without COVID-19) where 47% of people were Vitamin D deficient.
Other data from European studies has also shown a significant correlation between vitamin D levels and the number of COVID-19 cases in the population. In summary, the lower the vitamin D levels in the population, the more cases of COVID-19 presented. Although Vitamin D deficiency was not associate with increased risk of death from COVID-19 (reference).
Many other studies have shown this associate too, including data from Indonesia, Belgium, UK and USA which have all found that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for developing COVID-19 infection (reference).
In studies it shows the vitamin D deficiency is more pronounced in men than women. It was also found that vitamin D status was significantly lower in those of Asian, Black and Mixed ethnicity compared with those of White ethnicity. Moreover, vitamin D levels were significantly lower in those with obesity; overweight or obese male subjects living in London and being of Asian, Black or Mixed ethnicity were associated with a higher odd of positive test cases.
Beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation
COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Yet, information is limited about the potential protective factors of this infection. Presently, there is no clear evidence that Vitamin D supplementation prevents the severity and mortality of COVID-19.
Whilst many other studies have shown that vitamin D can reduce the risk of acute viral respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to be a safe and effective way to protect against acute respiratory tract infections. In summary, it is very clear that vitamin D plays an important role in respiratory tract infections.
Public Health England has advised everyone that it is important to take a vitamin D supplement as many have been indoors more than usual this year. You should take 10 micrograms (400IU) of vitamin D a day between October and early March to keep your bones and muscles healthy.
How much vitamin D does your body need?
Most people can make enough vitamin D from being out in the sun in the Summer with forearms, hands or lower legs uncovered and without sunscreen.
It is not known exactly how much time is needed in the sun to make enough vitamin D to meet the body's requirements.
This is because there are a number of factors that can affect how vitamin D is made, such as you skin colour or how much skin you have exposed, but you should be careful not to burn in the sun.
What is known is that people with dark skin, such as those of African, African-Caribbean or south Asian origin, will need to spend longer in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin.
Your body can't make vitamin D if you're sitting indoors by a sunny window because ultraviolet B (UVB) rays (the ones your body needs to make vitamin D) can't get through the glass.
Do you know your Vitamin D levels?
You should be maintaining an optimum vitamin D level between 100-150nmol/L
Sources of Vitamin D
UVB Exposure
Natural sunlight - 10,000 - 20,000 IU per day in summer.
Tanning Bed with UVB - 10,000 IU per session.
Food
Salmon: Fresh, wil 3.5oz (400 - 1000 IU)
Salmon: Farmed 3.5oz (100 - 250 IU)
Fortified Milk: 8oz (100 IU)
Supplements
The Government currently suggest taking 400IU of Vitamin D3 which is very inadequate.
The Vitamin D Research Council recommends 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 per 25 pounds of body weight. (Reference)
Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 have a synergistic effect which are enhanced when taken together.
Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 ensure that calcium is absorbed easily and reaches the bone mass, while preventing arterial calcification, helping to keep both your heart and bones healthy.
Why not checkout Onnor's Battle ONN, revolutionary Immune System Support Capsules with higher servings of ingredients than most vitamin and supplements brands, created to sheild, protect and support your bodies natural immune system.