Some doctors using Vitamin D for COVID-19 prevention, treatment
Researchers found deaths from respiratory illness were three times higher for those with a Vitamin D deficiency
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – The race to find a universal cure for COVID is heating up. Now Vitamin D is making headlines as a possible factor to prevent and treat COVID-19.
Vitamin D is vital in allowing your body to absorb calcium to strengthen bones.
“Vitamin D is certainly a good thing if a physician recommends it,” said Jeffrey Drebin, MD, PhD Chair, of the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
But how does it work when it comes to COVID? In a German trial of nearly 10,000 people, researchers found deaths from respiratory illness were three times higher for those with a Vitamin D deficiency. While at Northwestern University, researchers analyzed data from ten countries and found patients with severe Vitamin D deficiencies were twice as likely to suffer complications from COVID. But experts are cautioning that more research needs to be done and not to overdo it with Vitamin D.
“It can have side effects,” continued Dr. Drebin.
Too much Vitamin D can be toxic and lead to heart and kidney problems. According to the National Institutes of Health, daily intake of 25 to 100 micrograms, or 1000 to 4000 UI, is safe for most people.
Two population groups most commonly affected by Vitamin D deficiencies are African Americans and the elderly, the two groups also most impacted by COVID-19.
Contributors to this news report include: Milvionne Chery, Producer; and Roque Correa, Editor.
In the fight against COVID-19, a little sunshine could make a big difference.
Vitamin D may lessen the effects of the coronavirus, according to recent studies by Boston University and other institutions.
"For years we’ve known that patients that have low low Vitamin D levels tend to have more viral illnesses," said Robert Martinez, the chief physician executive at DHR Health.
Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D — allowing people to pick it up simply by exercising outdoors. Supplements are also available.
There's nothing better than being outside on a beautiful day. Breathing in the fresh air while basking in the warm sunshine makes you feel good—and it's doing good within your body too. That sunlight is triggering you to produce Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential to the body because of its role in calcium absorption.** Not only does it maintain calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, but it also supports bone density and healthy teeth. Vitamin D helps maintain a healthy immune system and supports neuromuscular function.The problem is that we often end up spending a lot of time indoors. On cloudy days, or when the weather's cold, we don't get the amount of sun exposure that we'd ideally like. Plus, sunscreen, which is just as important to put on, can inhibit natural Vitamin D production. Fortunately, Vitamin D supplements are an easy option to support bone health.
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