COVID-19 is a Vitamin D Deficiency Disease
Why do you think patients were purposefully exposed to sunlight during the "Spanish" Flu Epidemic of 1918?
By: James Paul Roguski September 21, 2020 310-619-3055
They realized that reasonable exposure to sunlight was actually good for their patients health.
TOO MUCH >100
AWESOME: >70
GOOD: >50
BORDERLINE <50
DANGEROUS <35
AWESOME: >70
GOOD: >50
BORDERLINE <50
DANGEROUS <35
"Active forms of vitamin D... can inhibit production of pro-inflammatory cytokines of a cytokine storm with a mechanism of action involving down regulation of NF-κΒ and inverse agonism on RORγ (10). They can also counteract the oxidative stress through activation of NRF-2 and p53-dependent pathways (10).
Therefore, we suggest that vitamin D3-hydroxyderivatives are candidates for management of COVID-19, because while targeting both the cytokine storm and oxidative stress, they might also have antiviral effects...
Vitamin D precursor... is readily available and can be consumed within reasonable doses without a need for such approval. According to the Endocrine Society, the upper daily limit for an average healthy adult individual is 10,000 IU/day. This oral dose could be applied preventively to reduce probability of moderate to severe COVID-19.
However, such a dose may not be sufficient to stop cytokine↔oxidative storm in patients entering the hospital, which would require aggressive solutions. In the past, mega doses of vitamin D were used to treat different pathologies (2).
These findings suggest the use of high doses of vitamin D after admission to the hospital, since patients can be carefully monitored for any signs of adverse effects."
Therefore, we suggest that vitamin D3-hydroxyderivatives are candidates for management of COVID-19, because while targeting both the cytokine storm and oxidative stress, they might also have antiviral effects...
Vitamin D precursor... is readily available and can be consumed within reasonable doses without a need for such approval. According to the Endocrine Society, the upper daily limit for an average healthy adult individual is 10,000 IU/day. This oral dose could be applied preventively to reduce probability of moderate to severe COVID-19.
However, such a dose may not be sufficient to stop cytokine↔oxidative storm in patients entering the hospital, which would require aggressive solutions. In the past, mega doses of vitamin D were used to treat different pathologies (2).
These findings suggest the use of high doses of vitamin D after admission to the hospital, since patients can be carefully monitored for any signs of adverse effects."
"We agree with Jakovac (4) and Rocha et al. (8) that this calls for measurement of a 25(OH)D level in all COVID-19 patients. Patients who are vitamin D deficient or insufficient, i.e., 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL could be treated with an appropriate amount of vitamin D as soon as it is feasible to do so. In summary, we believe that different forms and routes of delivery of vitamin D at proper and clinically monitored doses might help in prevention or management of moderate to severe COVID-19."
"Active forms of vitamin D3 by counteracting cytokine storm and oxidative stress will attenuate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to coronavirus disease."
"Active forms of vitamin D3 by counteracting cytokine storm and oxidative stress will attenuate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to coronavirus disease."
SOURCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7191631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426543/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7191631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426543/
Vitamin D sufficiency, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D at least 30 ng/mL reduced risk for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239799
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239799
CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY AND ASK THEM TO CHECK YOUR LATEST BLOOD TEST TO LEARN WHAT YOUR VITAMIN D STATUS WAS. CONSIDER ADDING VITAMIN D3 TO YOUR DIET.
CLICK ABOVE FOR DETAILS
Finally Confirmed!
Vitamin D Nearly Abolishes
ICU Risk in COVID-19:
Vitamin D Nearly Abolishes
ICU Risk in COVID-19:
If you caught the COVID19 virus right now, having a good vitamin D status (from already having taken a supplement) would
- Reduce your risk of the disease becoming severe by 90%
- Reduce your risk of dying by 96%
HOW WE CAN FIX THIS PANDEMIC IN A MONTH
June 22, 2020
by Damien Downing, MBBS, MRSB
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n34.shtml
June 22, 2020
by Damien Downing, MBBS, MRSB
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n34.shtml
PREVENTION:
Maintain blood levels between 75-100ng/ml by reasonable exposure to sunlight and consumption of 5,000-10,000 International Units (IU) of supplemental Vitamin D.
EMERGENCY TREATMENT:
Tell your doctor to consider the protocols used in THIS STUDY.
Vitamin D deficiency is made worse by
1. Sunblock
2. Skin with high levels of melanin
3. The closure of facilities that encourage outdoor activity
4. The excessive wearing of personal protective devices
5. Smoke from forest fires that block the rays of the sun
2. Skin with high levels of melanin
3. The closure of facilities that encourage outdoor activity
4. The excessive wearing of personal protective devices
5. Smoke from forest fires that block the rays of the sun
Elderly people of color who live in care facilities under artificial lighting, who don't go outside at all due to the "lockdowns" and put on sunblock when they do go outside are at far greater risk.
The "dis-ease" known as COVID-19 may be "triggered" by SARS-COV-2 but it is clearly aggravated by nutritional deficiencies that vary from person to person.
A clear comprehension of these nutritional deficiencies clearly correlates with the demographics of those who contract and die from COVID-19.
The fact that COVID-19 seems to manifest in dramatically different ways in different people, with different symptoms and pathologies is a testament to the unique nutritional status of every person on earth.
Numerous studies have shown that improving one's diet and AGGRESSIVELY supplementing with a wide variety of nutrients can be both preventative and therapeutic in all cases of COVID-19.
It is certainly true that belated attempts to reverse long-standing nutritional deficiencies in patients suffering with COVID-19 are not guaranteed to bring patients back from the brink of death.
It is ABSOLUTELY true that providing aggressive nutritional supplementation as both a preventative and treatment is a hell of a lot better than the current medical protocols:
CURRENT MEDICAL STANDARD OF CARE:
- Deny the benefits of adequate nutrition
- Do NOTHING for prevention
- Do NOTHING for immediate care
- Ban drugs such as hydroxychloroquine after conducting trials that were designed to fail because they did not include zinc in the protocols along with the hydroxychloroquine.
- Receive thousands of dollars for treatment with ineffective experimental drugs such as Remdesivir.
- Allow the patients' condition to deteriorate to the point where it then appears justified to implement invasive, "heroic," emergency techniques that actually do more harm then good (ventilators).
- Receive tens of thousands of dollars for patients placed on ventilators, even if they ultimately die.
Get the basics of Vitamin D
Vitamin D and COVID-19:
Vitamin D deficiency is STRONGLY correlated with the rate of deaths due to COVID-19. Government enforced "lock-downs" of outdoor activity further lower Vitamin D levels which is beginning to be noticed even in children, many of whom have been forced to stay indoors during the summer of 2020.
By definition, "people of color" have more melanin pigment in their skin and thus they tend to naturally produce less Vitamin D.
Viruses such as influenza ("the flu") classically occur during the winter months when sunlight levels are low, implying a connection to lower Vitamin D levels.
DETAILS
Testing labs in the United States generally report 25(OH)D levels in ng/mL (µg/mL). Other countries often use nmol/L (µmol/L). Multiply ng/mL by 2.5 to convert to nmol/L.
Acute overdose requires between 15,000 µg/d (600,000 IU per day) and 42,000 µg/d (1,680,000 IU per day) over a period of several days to months.
Acute overdose requires between 15,000 µg/d (600,000 IU per day) and 42,000 µg/d (1,680,000 IU per day) over a period of several days to months.
21 studies show evidence that optimum levels of vitamin D in the blood may reduce your risk from COVID-19. Start taking Vitamin D supplements and tell your doctor to schedule a Vitamin D blood test.
Calcifediol vs. Cholecalciferol
1. Oral calcifediol results in a more rapid increase in serum 25-OHD compared to oral cholecalciferol.
2. Oral calcifediol is more potent than cholecalciferol, so that lower dosages are needed. Based on the results of nine RCTs comparing physiologic doses of oral cholecalciferol with oral calcifediol, calcifediol was 3.2-fold more potent than oral cholecalciferol. Indeed, when using dosages ≤ 25 μg/day, serum 25OHD increased by 1.5 ± 0.9 nmol/l for each 1 μg cholecalciferol, whereas this was 4.8 ± 1.2 nmol/l for oral calcifediol.
3. Oral calcifediol has a higher rate of intestinal absorption and this may have important advantages in case of decreased intestinal absorption capacity due to a variety of diseases.
4. A potential additional advantage of oral calcifediol is a linear dose-response curve, irrespective of baseline serum 25OHD, whereas the rise in serum 25OHD is lower after oral cholecalciferol, when baseline serum 25OHD is higher.
5. Intermittent intake of calcifediol results in fairly stable serum 25OHD compared with greater fluctuations after intermittent oral cholecalciferol.
SOURCE:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29713796/
2. Oral calcifediol is more potent than cholecalciferol, so that lower dosages are needed. Based on the results of nine RCTs comparing physiologic doses of oral cholecalciferol with oral calcifediol, calcifediol was 3.2-fold more potent than oral cholecalciferol. Indeed, when using dosages ≤ 25 μg/day, serum 25OHD increased by 1.5 ± 0.9 nmol/l for each 1 μg cholecalciferol, whereas this was 4.8 ± 1.2 nmol/l for oral calcifediol.
3. Oral calcifediol has a higher rate of intestinal absorption and this may have important advantages in case of decreased intestinal absorption capacity due to a variety of diseases.
4. A potential additional advantage of oral calcifediol is a linear dose-response curve, irrespective of baseline serum 25OHD, whereas the rise in serum 25OHD is lower after oral cholecalciferol, when baseline serum 25OHD is higher.
5. Intermittent intake of calcifediol results in fairly stable serum 25OHD compared with greater fluctuations after intermittent oral cholecalciferol.
SOURCE:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29713796/
A study worthy of careful consideration:
“Effect of Calcifediol Treatment and best Available Therapy versus best Available Therapy on Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Clinical study.”
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020): 105751.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076020302764?via%3Dihub
“Effect of Calcifediol Treatment and best Available Therapy versus best Available Therapy on Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Clinical study.”
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020): 105751.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076020302764?via%3Dihub
The intervention group received calcifediol, which is a type of vitamin D found in the blood. It is not the usual type of vitamin D found in supplements. Calcifediol is also known as 25(OH)D or 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The reason for giving this type of vitamin D is that the usual supplement type takes about 7 days to turn into calcifediol, so by giving patients calcifediol itself, you get the good effects without having to wait 7 or so days.
Vitamin D (in the form of oral calcifediol)
Patient’s Vitamin D status should be measured (blood test) and monitored
0.532 mg on day 1
0.266 mg on day 3
0.266 mg on day 7
and then 0.266mg weekly until discharge or ICU admission.
Please note: This is a different form of Vitamin D, and it is measured in mg, not IU.
Vitamin D (in the form of oral calcifediol)
Patient’s Vitamin D status should be measured (blood test) and monitored
0.532 mg on day 1
0.266 mg on day 3
0.266 mg on day 7
and then 0.266mg weekly until discharge or ICU admission.
Please note: This is a different form of Vitamin D, and it is measured in mg, not IU.
Vitamin D has been clearly documented to strengthen immune function and decrease the risk of infection from any pathogen, including the COVID-19 virus. Patients with the highest vitamin D levels have shorter and less symptomatic courses of infection.
While vitamin D has not been demonstrated to cure viruses as a monotherapy, maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is vital for both preventing the contraction of infectious diseases as well as for recovering more rapidly from such infections, with a clear decrease in mortality rate. [8]
In a recent study not yet published, Indonesian researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on mortality in 780 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. They found that nearly all (98.9%) of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml died. Yet, less than 5% with substantially higher levels of vitamin D died.
Consistent with these findings, it has been shown that the most life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurs much more readily in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency. [9]
Clearly, vitamin D supplementation should be part of any treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease.
Healthy people should not take ultra-high doses of vitamin D, but only normal doses up to 10,000 IU per day. That is a completely safe dose as you can easily get these amounts though sun-exposure. Children may receive 1,000 IU per each 11 pounds (200 IU per 1 kg of body weight daily).
Please note: The form of Vitamin D3 that is available as a supplement is a different form of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol), and it is measured in IU, not mg as was the case in the published study referenced above (calcifediol).
Vitamin D is soluble in oil, not in water. So, when mixed in a lipid vehicle vitamin D is better absorbed and should produce a better effect. A lipid vehicle requires soft gels or oil drops.
While vitamin D has not been demonstrated to cure viruses as a monotherapy, maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is vital for both preventing the contraction of infectious diseases as well as for recovering more rapidly from such infections, with a clear decrease in mortality rate. [8]
In a recent study not yet published, Indonesian researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on mortality in 780 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. They found that nearly all (98.9%) of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml died. Yet, less than 5% with substantially higher levels of vitamin D died.
Consistent with these findings, it has been shown that the most life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurs much more readily in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency. [9]
Clearly, vitamin D supplementation should be part of any treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease.
Healthy people should not take ultra-high doses of vitamin D, but only normal doses up to 10,000 IU per day. That is a completely safe dose as you can easily get these amounts though sun-exposure. Children may receive 1,000 IU per each 11 pounds (200 IU per 1 kg of body weight daily).
Please note: The form of Vitamin D3 that is available as a supplement is a different form of Vitamin D (cholecalciferol), and it is measured in IU, not mg as was the case in the published study referenced above (calcifediol).
Vitamin D is soluble in oil, not in water. So, when mixed in a lipid vehicle vitamin D is better absorbed and should produce a better effect. A lipid vehicle requires soft gels or oil drops.
Vitamin D3 (commonly known simply as “vitamin D,” but formally as cholecalciferol) may be the most potent defense available against COVID-19, from the studies described below. It may also be the most easily acquired COVID-19 treatment, because vitamin D is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, with further processing in the liver and then in the kidneys to its fully useful form.
In this large Israeli study of over 7,000 people, "low plasma [vitamin D] levels almost doubled the risk for hospitalization due to the COVID-19 infection in the Israeli studied cohort." Also, "the mean plasma vitamin D level was significantly lower among those who tested positive than negative for COVID-19." (1)
In a retrospective cohort study in Indonesia of 780 cases of COVID-19 positive patients, it was found that those with below normal vitamin D levels were associated with increasing odds of death. (2)
The correlation among low serum vitamin D levels and COVID-19 mortality was so high in that study that this nutrient may turn out to be the most decisively valuable against COVID-19. This graph (3) shows the stark contrast found between high and low vitamin D levels and COVID-19 survivability.
In European countries also, a significant inverse relationship was found between serum vitamin D levels and COVID-19 mortality. Mean levels of vitamin D and COVID-19 mortality in twenty European countries were examined. Also aging populations, which have been the worst affected by COVID-19 were found to have the lowest serum vitamin D levels. (4)
Vitamin D is known to be essential to the maturing of macrophages, which in turn are a necessary tool of the immune system against pathogenic microbes. Macrophages with vitamin D also produce hydrogen peroxide, an important pro-oxidant molecular weapon against microbial pathogens. (5) However, vitamin D also stimulates production of anti-microbial peptides that appear in natural killer cells and neutrophils in respiratory tract epithelial cells, where they are able to protect the lungs from the ravages of infection.
One of the most alarming features of COVID-19 disease in the clinical setting has been the “cytokine storm,” which is itself life-threatening. It is an inflammatory over-reaction to the replicating viral pathogen. The utility of Vitamin D for the COVID-19 patient may best be appreciated in its prevention of excessive inflammatory cytokines, thereby sparing the patient of the body’s most severe reactions to the virus. (6) Vitamin D deficiency is also implicated in acute respiratory distress syndrome. (7)
Respiratory infectious disease prevalence has a strong seasonality through the centuries and around the world. That season peaks in the winter and early spring, after the year’s fewest hours and lowest angle of sunlight on the winter solstice. That lack of sunlight occurs during a time of the least skin surface exposed to freezing weather, and therefore the least endogenous vitamin D production. Supplementation of oral vitamin D through this difficult season may therefore be a prudent prophylaxis.
1 E Merzon, et al. Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study.
The FEBS Journal doi: 10.1111/febs.15495. Jul 3 2020.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.01.20144329v1
2 P Raharusuna et al. Patterns of COVID-19 mortality and vitamin D: An Indonesian Study. Apr 26 2020.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dJ1VNakIvXBUEvqoQeV8FL8-R1PSgMJz/view
3 L Borsche, et al. Covid-19: More deaths? More lockdown? More suffering? Graph by Dr. B Glauner.
https://borsche.de/res/Vitamin_D_Essentials_EN.pdf
4 P Ilie et al. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease2019 infection and mortality. Aging Clin Exper Res. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7202265/pdf/40520_2020_Article_1570.pdf
5 Y Abu-Amer et al. Impaired bone marrow-derived macrophage differentiation in vitamin D deficiency. Cell Immunol. Oct 15 1993; 15(12): 356-68. doi:10.1006/cimm.1993.1245 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8402942/#:~:text=In%20vitro%20addition%20of%20the,proliferation%20and%20an%20increased%20differentiation.&text=Thus%2C%20vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20is,natural%20modulator%20of%20macrophage%20maturation.
6 J Cannell, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiology & Infection. Sep 7 2006.134(6): 1129-40.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/epidemic-influenza-and-vitamin-d/C4D90C6E7CB127E6DF7A52D3A9EE2974
7 R Dancer, et al. Vitamin D deficiency contributes directly to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 2015. Thorax 70:617-624.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25903964
In this large Israeli study of over 7,000 people, "low plasma [vitamin D] levels almost doubled the risk for hospitalization due to the COVID-19 infection in the Israeli studied cohort." Also, "the mean plasma vitamin D level was significantly lower among those who tested positive than negative for COVID-19." (1)
In a retrospective cohort study in Indonesia of 780 cases of COVID-19 positive patients, it was found that those with below normal vitamin D levels were associated with increasing odds of death. (2)
The correlation among low serum vitamin D levels and COVID-19 mortality was so high in that study that this nutrient may turn out to be the most decisively valuable against COVID-19. This graph (3) shows the stark contrast found between high and low vitamin D levels and COVID-19 survivability.
In European countries also, a significant inverse relationship was found between serum vitamin D levels and COVID-19 mortality. Mean levels of vitamin D and COVID-19 mortality in twenty European countries were examined. Also aging populations, which have been the worst affected by COVID-19 were found to have the lowest serum vitamin D levels. (4)
Vitamin D is known to be essential to the maturing of macrophages, which in turn are a necessary tool of the immune system against pathogenic microbes. Macrophages with vitamin D also produce hydrogen peroxide, an important pro-oxidant molecular weapon against microbial pathogens. (5) However, vitamin D also stimulates production of anti-microbial peptides that appear in natural killer cells and neutrophils in respiratory tract epithelial cells, where they are able to protect the lungs from the ravages of infection.
One of the most alarming features of COVID-19 disease in the clinical setting has been the “cytokine storm,” which is itself life-threatening. It is an inflammatory over-reaction to the replicating viral pathogen. The utility of Vitamin D for the COVID-19 patient may best be appreciated in its prevention of excessive inflammatory cytokines, thereby sparing the patient of the body’s most severe reactions to the virus. (6) Vitamin D deficiency is also implicated in acute respiratory distress syndrome. (7)
Respiratory infectious disease prevalence has a strong seasonality through the centuries and around the world. That season peaks in the winter and early spring, after the year’s fewest hours and lowest angle of sunlight on the winter solstice. That lack of sunlight occurs during a time of the least skin surface exposed to freezing weather, and therefore the least endogenous vitamin D production. Supplementation of oral vitamin D through this difficult season may therefore be a prudent prophylaxis.
1 E Merzon, et al. Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study.
The FEBS Journal doi: 10.1111/febs.15495. Jul 3 2020.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.01.20144329v1
2 P Raharusuna et al. Patterns of COVID-19 mortality and vitamin D: An Indonesian Study. Apr 26 2020.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dJ1VNakIvXBUEvqoQeV8FL8-R1PSgMJz/view
3 L Borsche, et al. Covid-19: More deaths? More lockdown? More suffering? Graph by Dr. B Glauner.
https://borsche.de/res/Vitamin_D_Essentials_EN.pdf
4 P Ilie et al. The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease2019 infection and mortality. Aging Clin Exper Res. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7202265/pdf/40520_2020_Article_1570.pdf
5 Y Abu-Amer et al. Impaired bone marrow-derived macrophage differentiation in vitamin D deficiency. Cell Immunol. Oct 15 1993; 15(12): 356-68. doi:10.1006/cimm.1993.1245 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8402942/#:~:text=In%20vitro%20addition%20of%20the,proliferation%20and%20an%20increased%20differentiation.&text=Thus%2C%20vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20is,natural%20modulator%20of%20macrophage%20maturation.
6 J Cannell, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiology & Infection. Sep 7 2006.134(6): 1129-40.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/epidemic-influenza-and-vitamin-d/C4D90C6E7CB127E6DF7A52D3A9EE2974
7 R Dancer, et al. Vitamin D deficiency contributes directly to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 2015. Thorax 70:617-624.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25903964
For additional information, please visit: COVID.us.org/vitamin-d/
Can Vitamin D help against Covid-19?
Substantial evidence from scientific studies shows that vitamin D reduces risk of infection, of a severe case, and of death from Covid-19.
Vitamin D articles
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part one
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part two
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part three
* Fighting Covid-19: Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin B12
* Vitamin D and Covid-19 Clinical Trials from ClinicalTrials.gov ongoing trials.
Vitamin D videos
* Video: Does Vitamin D Protect Against COVID-19? by Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH
* Dr. Mobeen Syed on immune system benefits of vitamin D
* Dr. Syed again on Vitamin D overview and description of an RCT
* Dr. Roger Seheult of MedCram on vitamin D
Substantial evidence from scientific studies shows that vitamin D reduces risk of infection, of a severe case, and of death from Covid-19.
Vitamin D articles
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part one
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part two
* Vitamin D versus Covid-19: part three
* Fighting Covid-19: Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin B12
* Vitamin D and Covid-19 Clinical Trials from ClinicalTrials.gov ongoing trials.
Vitamin D videos
* Video: Does Vitamin D Protect Against COVID-19? by Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH
* Dr. Mobeen Syed on immune system benefits of vitamin D
* Dr. Syed again on Vitamin D overview and description of an RCT
* Dr. Roger Seheult of MedCram on vitamin D
Vitamin D studies
1. Alipio, Mark. “Vitamin D Supplementation Could Possibly Improve Clinical Outcomes of Patients Infected with Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19).” SSRN 3571484 (9 April 2020).
Study Link
2. Lau, Frank H., et al. “Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19.” medRxiv (28 April 2020).
Study Link
3. Daneshkhah, Ali, et al. “The Possible Role of Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Associated Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
4. Davies, Gareth, Attila R. Garami, and Joanna C. Byers. “Evidence Supports a Causal Model for Vitamin D in COVID-19 Outcomes.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
5. De Smet, Dieter, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency as risk factor for severe COVID-19: a convergence of two pandemics.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
6. Raharusun, Prabowo, et al. “Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study.” (2020).
PDF file
7. Ilie, Petre Cristian, Simina Stefanescu, and Lee Smith. “The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality.” Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2020): 1.
Study Link
8. D’Avolio, Antonio, et al. “25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are lower in patients with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2.” Nutrients 12.5 (2020): 1359.
Study Link
9. Laird, E., et al. “Vitamin D and Inflammation: Potential Implications for Severity of Covid-19.” Ir Med J; Vol 113; No. 5; P81: 2020.
PDF file
10. Faul, J.L., et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and ARDS after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” Ir Med J; Vol 113; No. 5; P84: 2020.
PDF file
11. Meltzer, David O., et al. “Association of Vitamin D Deficiency and Treatment with COVID-19 Incidence.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
12. Li, Yajia, et al. “Sunlight and vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection and mortality in the United States.” (2020).
PDF file
13. Pugach, Isaac Z. and Pugach, Sofya “Strong Correlation Between Prevalence of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency and Population Mortality Rate from COVID-19 in Europe.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
14. Merzon, Eugene, et al. “Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D3 level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study.” medRxiv (2020). — Low vitamin D increased risk (adjusted OR) of infection with Covid-19 by 45% and of hospitalization for Covid by 95%.
Study Link
15. Panagiotou, Grigorios et al., “Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are associated with greater disease severity: results of a local audit of practice.” medRxiv (2020). Conclusion: “we found that patients requiring ITU admission [in the ICU] were more frequently vitamin D deficient than those managed on medical wards [on the floor], despite being significantly younger.”
PDF file Link
16. Chang, Timothy S., et al. “Prior diagnoses and medications as risk factors for COVID-19 in a Los Angeles Health System.” medRxiv (2020).
~ Risk factors included vitamin D deficiency, which increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis by 80% (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.2], p=5.7 x 10-6).
Study Link
17. Maghbooli, Zhila, et al. “Vitamin D Sufficiency Reduced Risk for Morbidity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.” Available at SSRN 3616008 (2020).
~ Vitamin D sufficiency reduced clinical severity and inpatient mortality.
Study Link
18. Panarese and Shahini, “Letter: Covid-19 and Vitamin D” Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, April 12, 2020.
~ Covid-19 mortality increases with increasing latitude (by nation), and vitamin D blood levels decrease with increasing latitude. The authors propose that low levels of vitamin D increase Covid-19 mortality.
Link to Letter
19. Carpagnano, Giovanna Elisiana, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19.” Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (2020): 1-7.
~ “A survival analysis highlighted that, after 10 days of hospitalization, severe vitamin D deficiency patients had a 50% mortality probability, while those with vitamin D ≥ 10 ng/mL had a 5% mortality risk (p = 0.019).”
Study Link
20. Mardani, R., et al. “Association of vitamin D with the modulation of the disease severity in COVID-19.” Virus Research (2020): 198148.
Study Link
21. Castillo, Marta Entrenas, et al. “Effect of Calcifediol Treatment and best Available Therapy versus best Available Therapy on Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Clinical study.” The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020): 105751.
** This was a peer-reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT). It’s sufficient.
See the Chris Masterjohn, Ph.D. commentary here.
Study Link
22. Radujkovic, et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Outcome of COVID-19 Patients.” Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2757; Study Link
— “The present study demonstrates an association between VitD deficiency and severity of COVID-19. VitD-deficient patients had a higher hospitalization rate and required more (intensive) oxygen therapy and IMV. In our patients, when adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities, VitD deficiency was associated with a 6-fold higher hazard of severe course of disease and a ~15-fold higher risk of death.”
23. Israel, Ariel, et al. “The link between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 in a large population.” medRxiv (2020). Study Link
— “In the matched cohort, we found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of Covid-19, with the highest risk observed for severe vitamin D deficiency. A significant protective effect was observed for members who acquired liquid vitamin D formulations (drops) in the last 4 months.”
Vitamin D commentary
25. Grant, William B., et al. “Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths.” Nutrients 12.4 (2020): 988. Study Link
— “To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d…. For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin D3 doses might be useful.”
26. Garland, Cedric F., et al. “Vitamin D supplement doses and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the range associated with cancer prevention.” Anticancer research 31.2 (2011): 607-611. Study Link
— “Results: Serum 25(OH)D rose as a function of self-reported vitamin D supplement ingestion in a curvilinear fashion, with no intakes of 10,000 IU/d or lower producing 25(OH)D values above the lower-bound of the zone of potential toxicity (200 ng/ml). Unsupplemented all-source input was estimated at 3,300 IU/d. The supplemental dose ensuring that 97.5% of this population achieved a serum 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/ml was 9,600 IU/d. Conclusion: Universal intake of up to 40,000 IU vitamin D per day is unlikely to result in vitamin D toxicity.”
27. Charoenngam and Holick, “Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease.” Nutrients 2020, 12(7), 2097; Study Link
— “It is therefore proposed that supplementation of vitamin D can reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.”
For more vitamin D commentary, see this article.
Summary
Having high blood levels of vitamin D reduces Covid-19 risks, including risk of infection [7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20], of having a severe case [1, 3, 4, 5, 15, 17, 22], of needing hospitalization, ICU care, and/or mechanical ventilation [2, 10, 14, 15, 22], as well as the risk of dying from Covid-19 [4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22].
Vitamin D Other Benefits
In addition to reducing various types of risk related to Covid-19, vitamin D has other health benefits. Studies have shown that a high intake of vitamin D reduces risk of stroke [28], multiple sclerosis [29], rheumatoid arthritis [30], type 2 diabetes [31], breast cancer [32], prostate cancer [33], colon cancer [34], and all-cause mortality [35]. In older men, low vitamin D increased risk of mortality 83% as compared to men with optimal levels [36].
Vitamin D can be taken daily or once-a-week. Do not take a “bolus dose” of once a month or once every so-many months, as this has been shown to be less effective against acute respiratory tract infections, so it might be less effective against Covid-19.
Martineau, Adrian R., et al. “Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.” bmj 356 (2017). Study Link
1. Alipio, Mark. “Vitamin D Supplementation Could Possibly Improve Clinical Outcomes of Patients Infected with Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19).” SSRN 3571484 (9 April 2020).
Study Link
2. Lau, Frank H., et al. “Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in severe COVID-19.” medRxiv (28 April 2020).
Study Link
3. Daneshkhah, Ali, et al. “The Possible Role of Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Associated Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
4. Davies, Gareth, Attila R. Garami, and Joanna C. Byers. “Evidence Supports a Causal Model for Vitamin D in COVID-19 Outcomes.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
5. De Smet, Dieter, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency as risk factor for severe COVID-19: a convergence of two pandemics.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
6. Raharusun, Prabowo, et al. “Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study.” (2020).
PDF file
7. Ilie, Petre Cristian, Simina Stefanescu, and Lee Smith. “The role of vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 infection and mortality.” Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2020): 1.
Study Link
8. D’Avolio, Antonio, et al. “25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are lower in patients with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2.” Nutrients 12.5 (2020): 1359.
Study Link
9. Laird, E., et al. “Vitamin D and Inflammation: Potential Implications for Severity of Covid-19.” Ir Med J; Vol 113; No. 5; P81: 2020.
PDF file
10. Faul, J.L., et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and ARDS after SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” Ir Med J; Vol 113; No. 5; P84: 2020.
PDF file
11. Meltzer, David O., et al. “Association of Vitamin D Deficiency and Treatment with COVID-19 Incidence.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
12. Li, Yajia, et al. “Sunlight and vitamin D in the prevention of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection and mortality in the United States.” (2020).
PDF file
13. Pugach, Isaac Z. and Pugach, Sofya “Strong Correlation Between Prevalence of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency and Population Mortality Rate from COVID-19 in Europe.” medRxiv (2020).
Study Link
14. Merzon, Eugene, et al. “Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D3 level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study.” medRxiv (2020). — Low vitamin D increased risk (adjusted OR) of infection with Covid-19 by 45% and of hospitalization for Covid by 95%.
Study Link
15. Panagiotou, Grigorios et al., “Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are associated with greater disease severity: results of a local audit of practice.” medRxiv (2020). Conclusion: “we found that patients requiring ITU admission [in the ICU] were more frequently vitamin D deficient than those managed on medical wards [on the floor], despite being significantly younger.”
PDF file Link
16. Chang, Timothy S., et al. “Prior diagnoses and medications as risk factors for COVID-19 in a Los Angeles Health System.” medRxiv (2020).
~ Risk factors included vitamin D deficiency, which increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis by 80% (OR 1.8 [1.4-2.2], p=5.7 x 10-6).
Study Link
17. Maghbooli, Zhila, et al. “Vitamin D Sufficiency Reduced Risk for Morbidity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.” Available at SSRN 3616008 (2020).
~ Vitamin D sufficiency reduced clinical severity and inpatient mortality.
Study Link
18. Panarese and Shahini, “Letter: Covid-19 and Vitamin D” Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, April 12, 2020.
~ Covid-19 mortality increases with increasing latitude (by nation), and vitamin D blood levels decrease with increasing latitude. The authors propose that low levels of vitamin D increase Covid-19 mortality.
Link to Letter
19. Carpagnano, Giovanna Elisiana, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19.” Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (2020): 1-7.
~ “A survival analysis highlighted that, after 10 days of hospitalization, severe vitamin D deficiency patients had a 50% mortality probability, while those with vitamin D ≥ 10 ng/mL had a 5% mortality risk (p = 0.019).”
Study Link
20. Mardani, R., et al. “Association of vitamin D with the modulation of the disease severity in COVID-19.” Virus Research (2020): 198148.
Study Link
21. Castillo, Marta Entrenas, et al. “Effect of Calcifediol Treatment and best Available Therapy versus best Available Therapy on Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Clinical study.” The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2020): 105751.
** This was a peer-reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT). It’s sufficient.
See the Chris Masterjohn, Ph.D. commentary here.
Study Link
22. Radujkovic, et al. “Vitamin D Deficiency and Outcome of COVID-19 Patients.” Nutrients 2020, 12(9), 2757; Study Link
— “The present study demonstrates an association between VitD deficiency and severity of COVID-19. VitD-deficient patients had a higher hospitalization rate and required more (intensive) oxygen therapy and IMV. In our patients, when adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities, VitD deficiency was associated with a 6-fold higher hazard of severe course of disease and a ~15-fold higher risk of death.”
23. Israel, Ariel, et al. “The link between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 in a large population.” medRxiv (2020). Study Link
— “In the matched cohort, we found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of Covid-19, with the highest risk observed for severe vitamin D deficiency. A significant protective effect was observed for members who acquired liquid vitamin D formulations (drops) in the last 4 months.”
Vitamin D commentary
25. Grant, William B., et al. “Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths.” Nutrients 12.4 (2020): 988. Study Link
— “To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d…. For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin D3 doses might be useful.”
26. Garland, Cedric F., et al. “Vitamin D supplement doses and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the range associated with cancer prevention.” Anticancer research 31.2 (2011): 607-611. Study Link
— “Results: Serum 25(OH)D rose as a function of self-reported vitamin D supplement ingestion in a curvilinear fashion, with no intakes of 10,000 IU/d or lower producing 25(OH)D values above the lower-bound of the zone of potential toxicity (200 ng/ml). Unsupplemented all-source input was estimated at 3,300 IU/d. The supplemental dose ensuring that 97.5% of this population achieved a serum 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/ml was 9,600 IU/d. Conclusion: Universal intake of up to 40,000 IU vitamin D per day is unlikely to result in vitamin D toxicity.”
27. Charoenngam and Holick, “Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease.” Nutrients 2020, 12(7), 2097; Study Link
— “It is therefore proposed that supplementation of vitamin D can reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.”
For more vitamin D commentary, see this article.
Summary
Having high blood levels of vitamin D reduces Covid-19 risks, including risk of infection [7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 20], of having a severe case [1, 3, 4, 5, 15, 17, 22], of needing hospitalization, ICU care, and/or mechanical ventilation [2, 10, 14, 15, 22], as well as the risk of dying from Covid-19 [4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22].
Vitamin D Other Benefits
In addition to reducing various types of risk related to Covid-19, vitamin D has other health benefits. Studies have shown that a high intake of vitamin D reduces risk of stroke [28], multiple sclerosis [29], rheumatoid arthritis [30], type 2 diabetes [31], breast cancer [32], prostate cancer [33], colon cancer [34], and all-cause mortality [35]. In older men, low vitamin D increased risk of mortality 83% as compared to men with optimal levels [36].
Vitamin D can be taken daily or once-a-week. Do not take a “bolus dose” of once a month or once every so-many months, as this has been shown to be less effective against acute respiratory tract infections, so it might be less effective against Covid-19.
Martineau, Adrian R., et al. “Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.” bmj 356 (2017). Study Link
Vitamin D has been clearly documented to strengthen immune function and decrease the risk of infection from any pathogen, including the COVID-19 virus. Patients with the highest vitamin D levels have shorter and less symptomatic courses of infection. While vitamin D has not been demonstrated to cure viruses as a monotherapy, maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D is vital for both preventing the contraction of infectious diseases as well as for recovering more rapidly from such infections, with a clear decrease in mortality rate. [A]
In a recent study not yet published, Indonesian researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on mortality in 780 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. They found that nearly all (98.9%) of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml died. Yet, less than 5% with substantially higher levels of vitamin D died. Consistent with these findings, it has been shown that the most life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurs much more readily in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency. [B] Clearly, vitamin D supplementation should be part of any treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease.
A. Grant W, Lahore H, McDonnell S et al. (2020) Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrients 12:988. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32252338
B. Dancer R, Parekh D, Lax S et al. (2015) Vitamin D deficiency contributes directly to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thorax 70:617-624.
T Levy. COVID-19 How can I cure thee? Let me count the ways. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. Jul 18 2020.
In a recent study not yet published, Indonesian researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on mortality in 780 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. They found that nearly all (98.9%) of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml died. Yet, less than 5% with substantially higher levels of vitamin D died. Consistent with these findings, it has been shown that the most life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome, occurs much more readily in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency. [B] Clearly, vitamin D supplementation should be part of any treatment protocol for COVID-19 or any other infectious disease.
A. Grant W, Lahore H, McDonnell S et al. (2020) Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrients 12:988. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32252338
B. Dancer R, Parekh D, Lax S et al. (2015) Vitamin D deficiency contributes directly to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thorax 70:617-624.
T Levy. COVID-19 How can I cure thee? Let me count the ways. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. Jul 18 2020.
ARTICLES:
Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to more severe cases of COVID-19, studies suggest
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-be-linked-to-more-severe-cases-of-covid-19-studies-suggest-1.4937535
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-be-linked-to-more-severe-cases-of-covid-19-studies-suggest-1.4937535
Low Vitamin D in COVID-19 Predicts ICU Admission, Poor Survival
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/937567
Medical Societies Advise on Vitamin D in Midst of COVID-19
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933715
Medical Societies Advise on Vitamin D in Midst of COVID-19
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933715
Study suggests sufficient vitamin D levels can lower coronavirus risk
https://www.twincities.com/2020/09/18/study-suggests-sufficient-vitamin-d-levels-can-lower-coronavirus-risk/
Low Levels of 25-Hydoxyitamin D Linked to COVID-19 Risk
https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/2020/09/18/low-levels-of-25-hydoxyitamin-d-linked-to-covid-19-risk/
Vitamin D supplements 'could keep Covid-19 patients out of intensive care' as study finds hospital patients given 100micrograms per week had 'significantly reduced' need for life support
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8718601/Vitamin-D-supplements-Covid-19-patients-intensive-care.html
