Vitamin D Status & SARS-CoV-2 Infection & COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes; the science below is important as it shows the link between Vitamin D & COVID-19; importantly for pathogen on the whole; 'EXERCISE
Vitamin D is critical for immune function and COVID is a wake up call; let us heed it; not just sunlight, but supplements; we find even those in Florida on gulf course for hours per day can be lacking
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. The goal should be to raise 25(OH)D concentrations above 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L). For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin D3 doses might be useful.
No doubt best to discuss with your doctor your risk but it is clear that Vitamin D (25(OH)D), is critical in functionality of your immune system.
This is a key review (#1):
1.Vitamin D Status and SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes
Fifty-four studies (49 as fully-printed and 5 as pre-print publications) were included for a total of 1,403,715 individuals. The association between vitamin D status and SARS-CoV2 infection, COVID-19 related hospitalization, COVID-19 related ICU admission, and COVID-19 related mortality was reported in 17, 9, 27, and 35 studies, respectively. Severe deficiency, deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D were all associated with ICU admission (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence intervals [95%CIs]: 2.63, 1.45–4.77; 2.16, 1.43–3.26; 2.83, 1.74–4.61, respectively), mortality (OR, 95%CIs: 2.60, 1.93–3.49; 1.84, 1.26–2.69; 4.15, 1.76–9.77, respectively), SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR, 95%CIs: 1.68, 1.32–2.13; 1.83, 1.43–2.33; 1.49, 1.16–1.91, respectively) and COVID-19 hospitalization (OR, 95%CIs 2.51, 1.63–3.85; 2.38, 1.56–3.63; 1.82, 1.43–2.33). Considering specific subgroups (i.e., Caucasian patients, high quality studies, and studies reporting adjusted association estimates) the results of primary endpoints did not change.
Interpretations: Patients with low vitamin D levels present an increased risk of ARDS requiring admission to intensive care unit (ICU) or mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalization.
2.Exploring links between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19
Vitamin D is an immunomodulator hormone with established effectiveness against various upper respiratory infections. Vitamin D can stall hyper-inflammatory responses and expedite healing process of the affected areas, primarily in the lung tissue.
3. Vitamin D and socioeconomic deprivation mediate COVID-19 ethnic health disparities
5. Vitamin-D and COVID-19: do deficient risk a poorer outcome?
i believe it takes about 2 weeks for any D3 supplement to become useful to the body?
and wouldnt it be good to talk about the K2 relationship, especially at higher doses?
Good article on the importance of Vitamin D. I would also add that for better absorption it should be taken with Vitamin K2 and magnesium. They all work synergistically. The other day I searched on our Health Canada Website to find out how and where I could get my Vitamin D level checked. Their advice was it wasn't necessary to get level checked. End of story. No useful information at all.