Vitamin D levels & COVID-19

[MrJim]

This is a long video (about an hour), but it presents some compelling evidence regarding vitamin D & COVID-19:



If (like me) you happen to be in the vulnerable group for COVID-19, you may be eligible for free vitamin D supplements. You can apply here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/corona...d-supplements/

[kalniel]

This is a long video (about an hour), but it presents some compelling evidence regarding vitamin D & COVID-19:

I only had a quick look, but it doesn't seem to say anything that we didn't already cover in the thread ie there's no solid evidence that vit D improves covid outcomes. It points out that correlation isn't the same as causation, and that vit D helps in a non-covid respiratory study. We need to wait for the covid vit D intervention trial outcome and peer review of the papers he mentions before we jump to any conclusions about whether vit D has a beneficial effect for covid.

[MrJim]

I only had a quick look, but it doesn't seem to say anything that we didn't already cover in the thread ie there's no solid evidence that vit D improves covid outcomes. It points out that correlation isn't the same as causation, and that vit D helps in a non-covid respiratory study. We need to wait for the covid vit D intervention trial outcome and peer review of the papers he mentions before we jump to any conclusions about whether vit D has a beneficial effect for covid.

The video gives a fairly detailed summary of the current research into the impact that vitamin D levels may have on respiratory infections in general, & COVID-19 in particular. It does indeed make a point of stating that correlation does not equate to causality, but that doesn’t mean to say that those studies that have shown a correlation between levels of vitamin D & outcomes for COVID-19 patients are entirely without merit. To my knowledge, there has never been a randomised controlled experimental study examining a causal relationship between smoking & lung cancer either, but the many epidemiological studies that have shown strong correlations between those two factors are well accepted by clinicians and the public alike.

The video does actually discus two randomised controlled studies that have shown a causal link between vitamin D & COVID-19 outcomes (one from Spain, the other from India, both peer-reviewed), but concedes that the relatively small number of participants in both studies does limit their efficacy. Larger scale studies are being currently undertaken however, so hopefully more concrete information on the subject will be forthcoming.

[kalniel]

Reported today:

There is not enough evidence that vitamin D supplements protect people against Covid-19, an expert panel says.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55333063

Panel is made up of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Public Health England and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

Keep taking it for bones/muscle, but not enough evidence to take it for preventing or treating covid.

Just as for any other rumoured treatment, it pays to wait for the proof, which will hopefully come down the line.

[cheesemp]

I started taking it about 3 months ago. Use to get every cold the kids bought back from school/preschool and have it turn into a major cough. Nothing since so far but just the odd sniffle proving I am still catching colds. I suspect I had low levels as I'm not keen on most of the food stuffs with D in it (I had a dairy allergy as a kid and still avoid too much). I'm also quite darked skinned for English man who sits in front of a PC all day which is often cause for low levels as well. I'm not going to go crazy and take a massive 5000IU supplement but its seems like no bad idea in my case to take 1000IU.

Lets face it the ideal would be a blood test showing who's low but how can you get that on the NHS (And repeat it when the seasons change)?

(And yes I know this is all circumstantial but for the grand cost of about £10 a year from Tesco with basically no draw backs?)

[MintyPolo]

I have to say, I'm feeling better this year, but rather than take loads of supplements I just haven't been around many humans!!

When the world is normal again, maybe doctors can put us on a course of "social distancing" instead of prescribing vitamins

[MrJim]

An interesting article in The Guardian today regarding vitamin D & covid-19.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...d-combat-covid

[idasbot]

for valiable results you need years of studies not few weeks

[Ttaskmaster]

When the world is normal again, maybe doctors can put us on a course of "social distancing" instead of prescribing vitamins

It'd certainly solve a fair few problems, including many that aren't caused by catching germs!

[moizhaq99]

Vit D very good

[wazi]

took it plus multi vits to help recover from covid 19 over xmas, helped im sure

[cheesemp]

Just wanted to follow up on my comment above. My son and wife just went down with a nasty cold and have been suffering with it for a few days. In the past I would always then catch these colds and suffer for a good week. However this time I seemed to get it heavily yesterday but already seem to be almost over it. I suspect this is just proof I was Vit D deficient but its enough evidence for me to continue dosing up as the cost/risks are very very low. I will point out though this is just anecdotal and not medical advice but I am very pleased to have had 5 months without a real cold - my preschool son has had two and I would have had at least those two normally. Also before any one mentions it I think social distancing is helping but the results are still promising (just based on my sons experience).

[kalniel]

Yeah it's the social distancing/generally better hygiene. The country as a whole saw lower levels of colds/flu even over summer due to the earlier lockdowns:
https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3182