JMIR Infodemiology 2022;2(1):e32452 doi:10.2196/32452
Preprints of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/32452, first published July 28, 2021.
Emma K Quinn 1, 2 e ; Shelby Fenton 2, 3 e ; Chelsea A Ford-Sahibzada 2, 3, 4 e ; Andrew Harper 3 e ; Alessandro R Marcon 5 e ; Timothy Caulfield 5, 6 e ; Sajjad S Fazel 2, 3, 7 e ; Cheryl E Peters 2, 3, 4, 7 e
Background:
The “infodemic” accompanying the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has the potential to increase avoidable spread as well as engagement in risky health behaviors. Although social media platforms, such as YouTube, can be an inexpensive and effective method of sharing accurate health information, inaccurate and misleading information shared on YouTube can be dangerous for viewers. The confusing nature of data and claims surrounding the benefits of vitamin D, particularly in the prevention or cure of COVID-19, influences both viewers and the general “immune boosting” commercial interest.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to ascertain how information on vitamin D and COVID-19 was presented on YouTube in 2020.
Methods:
YouTube video results for the search terms “COVID,” “coronavirus,” and “vitamin D” were collected and analyzed for content themes and deemed useful or misleading based on the accuracy or inaccuracy of the content. Qualitative content analysis and simple statistical analysis were used to determine the prevalence and frequency of concerning content, such as confusing correlation with causation regarding vitamin D benefits.
Results:
In total, 77 videos with a combined 10,225,763 views (at the time of data collection) were included in the analysis, with over three-quarters of them containing misleading content about COVID-19 and vitamin D. In addition, 45 (58%) of the 77 videos confused the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, with 46 (85%) of 54 videos stating that vitamin D has preventative or curative abilities. The major contributors to these videos were medical professionals with YouTube accounts. Vitamin D recommendations that do not align with the current literature were frequently suggested, including taking supplementation higher than the recommended safe dosage or seeking intentional solar UV radiation exposure.
Conclusions:
The spread of misinformation is particularly alarming when spread by medical professionals, and existing data suggesting vitamin D has immune-boosting abilities can add to viewer confusion or mistrust in health information. Further, the suggestions made in the videos may increase the risks of other poor health outcomes, such as skin cancer from solar UV radiation.
Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
Since Dec 2020 - many YouTubes on Vitamin D & COVID have been based on data
VitaminDWiki pages with TRANSCRIPT in title
This list is automatically updated
Items found: 62
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Title |
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Modified |
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Benefits of Omega-3s - video and transcript - Patrick - Nov 2023 |
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29 Nov, 2023 |
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The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency (and why you should supplement), Video and transcript, Patrick - Nov 2023 |
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29 Nov, 2023 |
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Should You Take A Vitamin D Supplement - Dr Holick transcript Oct 2022 |
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28 Nov, 2023 |
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End of Alzheimer's videos, transcripts and many studies |
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17 Nov, 2023 |
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Vitamin D - Dr. McCullough videos and transcript Aug 2023 |
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10 Nov, 2023 |
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Number 1 Vitamin D Danger You Absolutely Must Know! - with transcript Nov 2023 |
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04 Nov, 2023 |
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COVID fought by Vitamin D - video review of literature with transcript - Dec 2021 |
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29 Sep, 2023 |
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Interview and transcript: Vitamin D protocol for Autoimmune diseases – Dr. Coimbra 2016 |
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24 Sep, 2023 |
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The ONLY Solution to Long COVID (Vitamin D) - video and transcript Sept 2023 |
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12 Sep, 2023 |
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Alzheimer’s Is Now Optional - Dr. Bredesen video and transcript Sept 2023 |
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12 Sep, 2023 |
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UK MP talked on vaccine harms, other MPs left – transcript Mar 17, 2023 |
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24 Aug, 2023 |
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Steroids treating ARDS was published before COVID, but was ignored – Transcript Aug 20, 2023 |
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21 Aug, 2023 |
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Periodontal Disease and Vitamin D - interview and transcript - GRH, Grant July 2023 |
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02 Aug, 2023 |
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The INSANE BENEFITS of Vitamin D and How To Get It SAFELY - video and transcript July 2023 |
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28 Jul, 2023 |
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Health can be greatly improved by weekly 50,000 IU of Vitamin D - video and transcript - March 2023 |
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01 Apr, 2023 |
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The Role of Vitamin D in Reducing Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia - transcript Dr. Grant March 2023 |
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12 Mar, 2023 |
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Vitamin D, now conclusive (for COVID) - Dr. Campbell Video and transcript - Feb 1, 2023 |
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04 Feb, 2023 |
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Mechanisms of Autoimmunity – video and transcript – Beltran Nov 2022 |
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02 Jan, 2023 |
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Vitamin D dosing varies with genes, PTH, Mg, Vit K, etc – video and transcript Sept 2022 |
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29 Dec, 2022 |
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The Real Story on Vitamin D: interview and transcript – Grant Dec 2022 |
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10 Dec, 2022 |
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Interview with transcript concerning UVA, UVB, and health – Grant Dec 2012 |
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09 Dec, 2022 |
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COVID US deaths: 116,000 fewer if everyone had been taking 50,000 IU Vitamin D – Campbell transcript Nov 2022 |
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21 Nov, 2022 |
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Moving Vitamin D Research into Practice - Video and transcript - Baggerly - Oct 2021 |
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12 Oct, 2022 |
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COVID infection might prevent infection better than vaccinations - transcript and many studies |
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11 Oct, 2022 |
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Debunking Misinformation About Vitamin D - Grant podcast and transcript - Sept 2022 |
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21 Sep, 2022 |
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Vitamin D and COVID - satirical comedy (with transcript) by Jimmy Dore - Aug 2022 |
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08 Aug, 2022 |
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4 X fewer visits to Dr. after getting high level of vitamin D (Interview with transcript) - Jan 3, 2022 |
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17 Jul, 2022 |
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Interview with transcript of Dr. Grant on Vitamin D and Cancer by Dr. Moss - June 2022 |
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23 Jun, 2022 |
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Boost Your Immune System, Fight Viruses - Medcram with transcript - Oct 29, 2021 |
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22 Jun, 2022 |
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Transcripts in VitaminDWiki |
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22 Jun, 2022 |
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Vitamin D reduces autoimmune disease - Dr. Campbell video and transcript - May 2022 |
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30 May, 2022 |
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Wonders of Vitamin D - Renu Mahtani video and transcription - Feb 2022 |
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12 Mar, 2022 |
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VitaminDWiki interview and transcript - Jan 2022 |
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01 Mar, 2022 |
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Cluster Headaches treated by high-dose Vitamin D, etc. (interview and transcript) - Feb 2022 |
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23 Feb, 2022 |
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Vitamin D and COVID - Davies, Benskin (Dark Horse video with transcript) - Dec 27, 2021 |
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29 Dec, 2021 |
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PhD working at VAERS on problems with vacc system - Masterjohn interview and transcript- Dec 27, 2021 |
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27 Dec, 2021 |
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Dr. McCullough on COVID-19: vaccine problems, home treatment – video, slides, transcript – Oct and Dec 2021 |
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22 Dec, 2021 |
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Vitamin D and a Dr. in Israel - Campbell video and transcript - Dec 11, 2021 |
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13 Dec, 2021 |
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Omega-3 decreases heart disease and COVID: Harris and Patrick, video and transcript - Dec 2021 |
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07 Dec, 2021 |
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Vitamin D probably has a Role in Cancer, CVD, and COVID - video and transcript Dec 1, 2021 |
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02 Dec, 2021 |
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Discussion of COVID and 50 ng of Vitamin D (video and transcript)– Dr. Campbell Nov 17, 2021 |
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19 Nov, 2021 |
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End of Alzheimer's video and transcript - Oct 2021 |
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09 Nov, 2021 |
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Vitamin D and Health video with transcript - Dr. Grant Sept 2021 |
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11 Sep, 2021 |
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In-home testing of viral load, etc. Dr. Topol interview with transcript – Aug 11, 2021 |
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14 Aug, 2021 |
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Your Brain on Covid-19 Long-Haul, Dr. Galland video and transcript - Aug 1, 2021 |
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07 Aug, 2021 |
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COVID-19 doctors not allowed to use treatments that work - Dr McCullough Video and transcript May 2021 |
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11 Jul, 2021 |
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Problems with vaccine use during a pandemic - Dr. Bossche interview with transcript - April 22, 2021 |
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28 May, 2021 |
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Vitamin D fights many health symptoms, including COVID-19: Dr. Mahtani video and transcript - April 2021 |
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23 Apr, 2021 |
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Vitamin D, COVID - Campbell and Davis (Video with transcript) - Jan 18, 2021 |
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21 Apr, 2021 |
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Autoimmune and high-dose vitamin D (Dr. Coimbra) - Dr. Mahtani video and transcript - Nov 2020 |
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11 Apr, 2021 |