Vitamin D and the Pandemic

Vitamin D3 (VD3) is an interesting vitamin. Our bodies convert sunlight to make it. VD3 enhances the immune system and has recently been shown to reduce the risk of becoming infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

VD3 and Health

Nearly half of all Americans are deficient in VD3. In addition to sunlight, VD3 can be found in salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms.

VD3 by itself may not totally protect you from getting COVID-19, but if you do catch the virus it will lessen the symptoms. (https://www.healthline.com/health-news/vitamin-d-can-help-reduce-covid19-risks) A study done at the University of Chicago Medicine observed that those new patients deficient in VD3 were nearly twice as likely to test positive for COVID-19.

This study used older standards (20 ng/mL) for VD3 levels to define deficiency. It used to be that 20 ng/mL was considered the lower limit with 12 ng/mL being deficient. In some places, the old standard is being maintained. (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-d-whats-right-level-2016121910893).

Life Extension magazine publishes monthly articles relating to health and longevity. Several years ago, they recommended 50 ng/mL as the lower limit for VD3. (https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2016/1/why-isnt-everyone-supplementing-with-vitamin-d)

I had my blood drawn a couple of days ago for my annual physical coming up this week.

I always add vitamin D3, c-reactive protein, and homocysteine level blood tests to my annual physical. They are not normally included but should be. I believe VD3 levels over 50 ng/mL lower the risk of common diseases. Deficiencies in VD3 show higher risks of cancer, vascular disease, and chronic inflammation.

Forty research studies were analyzed to determine the protective effect of VD3 on acute respiratory infections and found positive proof that VD3 is protective. Similar findings are being seen in recent reviews of data comparing VD3 levels and COVID-19.

VD3 and Hospitals

Before this pandemic, the New England Journal of Medicine mortality rates three times higher for ICU patients deficient in VD3. Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends openly taking VD3. He has stated that VD3 deficiency increases susceptibility to infection.

The University of Grenada in Spain performed a minor study with seventy-six consecutive COVID-19 patients with pneumonia-like symptoms comparing hospital admissions with VD3 levels. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7456194/) Fifty patients were treated with a variant of VD3 (calcifediol) and one of those fifty was admitted to the ICU. Thirteen out of twenty-six ‘untreated’ patients required hospitalization. All the VD3 treated patients survived while two on the untreated patients died.

Data was recently presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research at the University of Siena in Italy. It showed a correlation between patient symptoms and VD3 levels. Those with lower VD3 levels had more severe symptoms compared to those patients with higher VD3 levels. Additionally, the mortality rate was much higher for those patients deficient in VD3.

Conclusion

VD3 helps your health and improves your immune system. It is protective against many diseases and reduces the symptoms when a disease is contracted. There are still a few doctors who do not believe in VD3 protective and healing powers. I have run across them personally.

The normal recommended levels for the daily requirements of VD3 will not be sufficient to raise your overall VD3 levels. I believe in VD3 that it is imperative that I have my VD3 levels measured annually. If your doctor does not support or know much about VD3, consider finding another physician.

Do not automatically increase VD3 supplementation because you can, especially if you are already on prescription medicines or under a doctor’s care. It is very unlikely that most people will ever see anything close to an overdose of VD3, but it is not wise to experiment with your health.

With our pandemic, social distancing, washing your hands, wearing face masks, and taking VD3 daily might improve your chances of not entering a hospital with COVID-19 this year (or next)!

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com