Vitamin D and Covid (ongoing research)
Over this past year and half there have been many solutions to Covid that come around that people believe could be a one size fits all solution. However humans are complex beings and what works for one person might not work for another.
**Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals, nor should this information be used as medical consultation. This information is for educational purposes to show the studies that are ongoing. You should consult a doctor before making any serious medical decisions. In no way do we claim that our product will diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.**
If you have been following Covid closely these past few months you may have seen several studies come around on the effects of Vitamin D and Covid. Reasoning behind these Vitamin D studies is due to the fact that Vitamin D is a great immune booster and helps with anti inflammatory responses (relating to the cytokine storm that can be induced by Covid). There have been a lot of claims that Vitamin D deficiency is significantly related to positive covid tests and also the severity of the infection.
However there is research supporting both sides of this argument saying that Vitamin D is helpful while some studies say it is not.
One study from NCBI in May 2021 found that “ Among COVID-19-positive patients, the group with vitamin D levels of >30 ng/ml had significantly lower D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, number levels, number of affected lung segments and shorter hospital stays. No difference was found among the groups in terms of age and gender distribution. Elevated vitamin D levels could decrease COVID-19 PCR positivity, D-dimer and CRP levels and the number of affected lung segments in COVID-19-positive patients, thereby shortening the duration of hospital stays and alleviating the intensity of COVID-19.”
*(Side note anything above 30ng/ml is considered normal for Vitamin D blood levels)
Yet here is another study cited by NCBI suggesting that Vitamin D might not be the solution,“Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, a single high dose of vitamin D3, compared with placebo, did not significantly reduce hospital length of stay. The findings do not support the use of a high dose of vitamin D3 for treatment of moderate to severe COVID-19.”
Cochrane.org claims, “Some studies have shown that people who are in hospital with severe COVID-19 also have low levels of vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency). However, the risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 are the same as those for developing vitamin D deficiency, so it is difficult to tell if vitamin D deficiency itself is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. Risk factors include general ill-health, a poor diet, and pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, and liver and kidney disease.”
Any way that you look at this, much of the research says there's a lot of inconclusive evidence and more studies need to be done. Some suggest higher doses of Vitamin D given and some say the doses should be smaller but more frequent….
“Based on the science, there is reason to be hopeful that Vitamin D or other supplements might help in the fight against COVID-19. While there’s no proof yet that they do, additional research could show a benefit in certain situations, or with a different dose or formulation of the supplement. So it’s worth keeping an open mind.” (Harvard Health)
In a time like this, it is important to put your health as a priority. If you choose to supplement it is important to remember that taking a vitamin just once or twice will not greatly impact your health. Like anything, to stay healthy you must continually take them. Talk to your doctor about what solutions are right for you. If you think you're doing the best thing for your body then you probably are!
(Blog about Vitamin D roles and foods)In good health,
Bizi
SOURCES
https://www.webmd.com/lung/vitamin-d-covid-19-what-to-know#1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33595634/
https://www.cochrane.org/CD015043/HAEMATOL_vitamin-d-effective-and-safe-treatment-covid-19
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512007/