Vitamin D and Covid 19 Correlation

[Time2]

I'm hearing and reading so much about the correlation of low Vitamin D and Covid complications. The proper studies have not been done to prove or disprove the idea. A couple correlations I heard about on my walk this morning (part of it with shirt removed) were, the homeless population has been found to have low rates of Covid, theory being they get much more sunlight and have proper vitamin D levels. Note: there are some contradictory papers on this idea of less Covid among homeless.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/06/coronavirus-homeless-death-toll-far-lower-than-predicted/

The second one, minorities are more suseptible because darker skin does not make as much Vitamin D. The idea was po poed and blamed on lower socioeconomics rather than skin color. Then it was pointed out that the first 10 doctors (higher socioeconomics) in England to die of Covid were Bame, (Black, Asian, & Minority Ethnic).
Vitamin D has immune response regulatory properties, and helps to prevent the cytokine storm that is destructive. As I heard it put it allows for the sniper to attack the virus, but prevents the machine gun from coming in and damaging everything.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/10/uk-coronavirus-deaths-bame-doctors-bma


As with all supplements, to much can be harmful, but it seems with Vitamin D the enough amount and the to much amount is large, so just get enough.


https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Vitamin+D+and+Covid&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart


I've been taking a K2 and D3 supplement since April among a few other supplements suggested by my doctor.

 

[Sojourner]

I've been taking a K2 and D3 supplement since April among a few other supplements suggested by my doctor.

Sam here. I was doing this (K2 and D3 supplementation) several years ago, too, based on lots of stuff I was reading about how K2 in conjunction with D3 helps regulate calcium metabolism in the body, removing it from blood vessels and depositing it in the bones. I started supplementing again back in March when the pandemic was firing up, based on the role D3 seems to play in boosting and regulating the immune system. I take 100µg of K2 (MK-7 form) and 1000mg of D3 most days.

 

[Nemo2]

the homeless population has been found to have low rates of Covid, theory being they get much more sunlight and have proper vitamin D levels.

Conversely the residents of nursing homes, etc, might possibly have less exposure to the sun, which could perhaps exacerbate their already vulnerable situations?

 

[Ian S]

I take 100µg of K2 (MK-7 form) and 1000mg of D3 most days.

I suspect the units for Vitamin D you are taking are wrong.

 

[audreyh1]

Conversely the residents of nursing homes, etc, might possibly have less exposure to the sun, which could perhaps exacerbate their already vulnerable situations?

Yes, elderly are vulnerable to malnutrition anyway, and it’s hard to correct for.

 

[audreyh1]

I suspect the units for Vitamin D you are taking are wrong.

Probably means IU.

 

[mamadogmamacat]

I have been taking a D3 supplement for 25 yrs, on the advice of an endocrinologist because I have metabolic syndrome and that doctor believed D3 would be a boost to my immune system. i have found it to also reduce my incidence of sinus infections. It is also per my drs suppossed to be a benefit for bone strength and easing my rheumatoid and osteo arthritis pain. i can attest it does help with the pain. i have not had fractures yet, but will see how I do as I go through my sixties and beyond, should I live that long.

Currently taking 5000 IU daily and have a D3 blood test annually with most recent level being 58 ng/ml, with a typical range each yr of 45 to 60.

Has this helped me at all in so far avoiding COVID 19. Heck if I know, but my reasons for taking a supplement remain as described above, quite apart from the pandemic.


For those of a more scientific bent, here is a list of ongonig studies:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=vitamin+D+and+Covid-19

it does not appear that any of these have results posted yet

and here is an article, the conclusions of which I copied below:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7276229/

3. Conclusion
"An inadequate supply of vitamin D has a variety of skeletal and non-skeletal effects. There is ample evidence that various non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, CVD, metabolic syndrome) are associated with low vitamin D plasma levels. These comorbidities, together with the often concomitant vitamin D deficiency, increase the risk of severe COVID-19 events. Much more attention should be paid to the importance of vitamin D status for the development and course of the disease. Particularly in the methods used to control the pandemic (lockdown), the skin's natural vitamin D synthesis is reduced when people have few opportunities to be exposed to the sun. The short half-lives of the vitamin therefore make an increasing vitamin D deficiency more likely. Specific dietary advice, moderate supplementation or fortified foods can help prevent this deficiency. In the event of hospitalisation, the status should be urgently reviewed and, if possible, improved.

In the meantime, 8 studies have started to test the effect of supplementing vitamin D in different dosages (up to 200,000 IU) on the course of the COVID-19 disease. The aim is to clarify whether supplementation with vitamin D in different dosages has an influence on the course of the disease or, in particular, on the immune response, or whether it can prevent the development of ARDS or thromboses"

 

[Sojourner]

I suspect the units for Vitamin D you are taking are wrong.

Probably means IU.

Yes, indeed. 1000 IU, which I believe is 25µg of cholecalciferol.

 

[Time2]

Conversion calculator for a few Vitamins.
https://www.vitamentor.com/convert-iu-to-mg-or-mcg-with-our-easy-calculators-for-vitamins-a-d-and-e/

 

[sengsational]

Vitamin D blood tests are cheap and you can get one without going to the doctor (must go to LabCorp, though). I've done several, one just before this mess, and was in the optimal range with minimal supplement dose. Tossing back 5000 IU a day probably won't have any side effects, but there might be some other nutrients that are getting sidelined. So the ratios between things matter, I think, which is why one should probably use their blood level to guide their dose.

 

[Time2]

Vitamin D blood tests are cheap and you can get one without going to the doctor (must go to LabCorp, though). I've done several, one just before this mess, and was in the optimal range with minimal supplement dose. Tossing back 5000 IU a day probably won't have any side effects, but there might be some other nutrients that are getting sidelined. So the ratios between things matter, I think, which is why one should probably use their blood level to guide their dose.

I checked out the website, no prices, what did it cost for a regular vitamin D test or the D3 if you got that?

 

[braumeister]

I checked out the website, no prices, what did it cost for a regular vitamin D test or the D3 if you got that?

You can get one through walkinlab.com for $48.

 

[mamadogmamacat]

I have to go to the endocrinologist once a yr anyway. so its easiest to just have her order the D3 test along with all the other tests. The D3 alone cost about $60 (so $48 w/o a dr visit sounds like a deal) but my insurance knocked it down to $24., all of which I paid as I'm still working through my $2000. deductible. Thankfully, Still relatively healthy in retirement, so have not yet come anywhere near my deductble in any of the 5 yrs since ER.

25 yrs ago, insurance was not covering vit D tests, and the cost was then $200. Still felt it was worth knowing my level as the pain relief and immune system boost provided by having adequate levels was well worth this cost.

 

[martyp]

It is hardly news that vitamin D is pert of a healthy diet. By itself it is not going to explain the effects of Covid nor is it a miracle cure. The message is that a healthy diet and exercise and all the things to go into a healthy lifestyle is something within your control. Do the best you can and manage your risks to Covid as best you can.

 

[sengsational]

LifeExtension.com/LabServices has it for $35.25, which includes a consultation with a "Wellness Specialist" (probably try to sell you supplements, but they can help you interpret the test if there's any confusion about it).

 

[braumeister]

Reopening this to mention a very interesting study that Peter Attia reported on. Not a randomized controlled trial, but a "quasi-experimental" study that nonetheless seems worthwhile.

Here's part of Peter's summary:

The study reported the 14 day mortality of 77 elderly (mean age 88 years) hospitalized patients comparing those that regularly supplemented vitamin D in the preceding 12 months and those that started supplementing after COVID-19 diagnosis. Both groups were compared to a third group that didn’t supplement with vitamin D at all. Long-time supplementers had a 93.1% survival rate compared to 81.7% survival rate in the more recent supplementers, and there was a 68.7% survival rate in the group that didn’t take vitamin D. Given the hazard ratio 0.07 in the first group, the study reported a 93% reduced associated risk for those that regularly supplemented vitamin D. In other words, the no supplementation group was associated with 14.3 times the risk of death compared to those who regularly supplemented with vitamin D.

Vitamin D Supplementation Associated to Better Survival in Hospitalized Frail Elderly COVID-19 Patients: The GERIA-COVID Quasi-Experimental Study

 

[JoeWras]

Wow. The figures just jump off the page. Granted, it is quasi-experimental without blinding and all, but still looks like a sound study.

Of note is that even taking vitamin D once you get sick significantly helps, although the best outcomes were from those who were taking before the sickness.

My doctor is a big proponent of vitamin D. After my November checkup, he directed me to take a supplement, so I did.

 

[sengsational]

Besides getting ivermectin on shelves of everyone in my family, I also got several of my family started on Vitamin D (that were not already taking it). I'm still working on one BIL, who doesn't like anything new. But we're up to 94% compliance on Vitamin D prophylaxis


Thanks for sharing that study. It's going to build the case with the hold-out.

 

[Letj]

Besides getting ivermectin on shelves of everyone in my family, I also got several of my family started on Vitamin D (that were not already taking it). I'm still working on one BIL, who doesn't like anything new. But we're up to 94% compliance on Vitamin D prophylaxis


Thanks for sharing that study. It's going to build the case with the hold-out.

How did you get ivermectin and how many mg? I was thinking of doing the same.

 

[statsman]

I wonder how much Vitamin D in a supplement we're talking about.

 

[H2ODude]

Interesting. Last time I had bloodwork done doc put me on B-12 shots monthly and whopping D3 (50,000 units weekly ?) followed by OTC 2000 units daily. Have since read where a lot of people are low on D3 and don't know it. I've never been one to take vitamins, always figured balanced diet all that was needed. So now it's daily D3 and after a year of the B12 shots may get moved to OTC pills.

 

[JoeWras]

I wonder how much Vitamin D in a supplement we're talking about.

You can open up the study and read it for free.

Group 1, who was taking D before admission, had oral doses of 50,000 IU per month or 100,000 IU for previous 3 months.

The treatment group 2, got a pretty large dose of 80,000 IU after being diagnosed.

 

[Boho]

That's 1,111 IU of vitamin D per day.

Recommended Amount of Vitamin D:

Birth to 12 months 10 mcg (400 IU)
Children 1–13 years 15 mcg (600 IU)
Teens 14–18 years 15 mcg (600 IU)
Adults 19–70 years 15 mcg (600 IU)
Adults 71 years and older 20 mcg (800 IU)
Pregnant and breastfeeding teens and women 15 mcg (600 IU)

I'm in my 50s and take 500 IU of D per day plus I get some from my diet, which probably gives me the recommended amount. I wonder how much good that's doing me. The instructions on my bottle of 500mg vitamin C/500 IU vitamin D chewables say to take two, which is still only 1000 IU of D. I'm still inclined to take just one.

 

[Aerides]

That's 1,111 IU of vitamin D per day.



I'm in my 50s and take 500 IU of D per day plus I get some from my diet, which probably gives me the recommended amount. I wonder how much good that's doing me. The instructions on my bottle of 500mg vitamin C/500 IU vitamin D chewables say to take two, which is still only 1000 IU of D. I'm still inclined to take just one.

A doctor visit and a blood test will answer those questions.

 

[Jerry1]

I take about 8,000 IU per day of D3. If I were to get sick, I would jump up to 50,000 IU per day for 4 days. This is part of a protocol I have for when I get sick. Fortunately, it’s been quite a number of years since I’ve been sick.