How We can fix this pandemic in a month (Vitamin D: 20K IU for 14 days) – June 22, 2020

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service

Commentary by Damien Downing, MBBS, MRSB

If we act on the data showing that it is highly probable that vitamin D can save lives, we could fix this pandemic in a month, for perhaps $2 per person. There would be no significant adverse effects. If we wait for "evidence" that vitamin D mitigates the impact of COVID-19, thousands more will die. If we could arrange to give everyone vitamin D, and it failed to protect them, so what? The risk from not acting is much greater than the risk from acting. Dosage is important and generally misunderstood.

Two countries have acted on this already: Egypt and Slovenia. Why can't we?

The Orthomolecular Medicine News Service has been publicizing the importance of vitamins D and C, and the minerals zinc and magnesium, in this pandemic since January [1]. I have been writing about Vitamin D and sunlight for over 30 years [2], and it has never been more relevant.

If you caught the COVID19 virus right now, having a good vitamin D status (from already having taken a supplement) would

• Reduce your risk of the disease becoming severe by 90%
• Reduce your risk of dying by 96%

This is not "proven" or "evidence-based" until we have done controlled trials comparing it to placebo. Any volunteers for that? But the data, already strong, has been pouring in since the start of the pandemic. Here's the data for the two statements above.

[A Hazard Ratio of 4 means that in one condition, for instance vitamin D deficiency, you are 4 times more likely to suffer the "hazard" than in another condition, say vitamin D adequacy. The graphics are all mine.]

A Philippine study [3]

With a deficient vitamin D status (<50nmol/L) the probability of becoming Severe or Critical with COVID-19 was 72.8% against 7.2% with adequate vitamin D (>75nmol/L). The Hazard Ratio is 10.0.

An Indonesian study [4]

With a deficient vitamin D status (<50nmol/L) the mortality rate from COVID-19 was 98.8% against 4.1% with adequate vitamin D (>75nmol/L). The Hazard Ratio is 24.1.

A review of data on Europe [5]

For countries in Europe, the probability of developing COVID-19, and of dying from it, is negatively correlated with mean population vitamin D status, with both probabilities reaching zero above about 75nmol/L. (The chart also shows the lower vitamin D levels for the elderly in Spain and Italy. [6]) It is also known that other factors such as age, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes are commonly associated with death in COVID-19. [5-8] For example, the elderly population in care facilities often do not get much sunlight exposure nor adequate supplements of essential nutrients including vitamin D, which will increase their risk of serious infections. Further, the 25(OH)D level in northern European countries such as Sweden drops in late winter to ~50 nmol/L or less, which may explain their relatively high death rate from infection. [9]

Dosage is important and generally misunderstood
Recent studies have suggested in discussion that more than 4000 IU per day of vitamin D3 may carry a risk of harm, citing the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition report of 2016 which set the recommended Upper Level (UL) intakes of 50mcg/2000IU per day. [10] That report says; "Excessive vitamin D intakes have, however, been shown to have toxic effects (Vieth, 2006)". [10] However this is misleading, as the Vieth paper [11] states: "Published reports suggest toxicity may occur with 25(OH)D concentrations beyond 500 nmol/L." This leaves a wide margin of safety.

The 3 papers mentioned above [3-5] show that a vitamin D3 blood level of at least 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml) is needed for protection against COVID-19. Government recommendations for vitamin D intake - 400 IU/day for the UK and 600 IU/day for the USA (800 IU for >70 years) and the EU - are based primarily on bone health. This is woefully inadequate in the pandemic context. An adult will need to take 4000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for 3 months to reliably achieve a 75 nmol/L level [12]. Persons of color may need twice as much [13]. These doses can reduce the risk of infection, but are not for treatment of an acute viral infection. And since vitamin D is fat-soluble and its level in the body rises slowly, for those with a deficiency, taking a initial dose of 5-fold the normal dose (20,000 IU/day) for 2 weeks can help to raise the level up to an adequate level to lower infection risk.

Other essential nutrients can help
As mentioned above, many studies have shown that for those deficient in essential nutrients, a protocol that includes vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc can decrease the risk of infection for viruses, including those similar to COVID-19.[1] Recommended preventive adult doses are vitamin C, 3000 mg/day (in divided doses, to bowel tolerance), magnesium, 400 mg (in malate, citrate, or chloride form), zinc, 20 mg. [1]

References

• 1. Saul AW. (2020) Vitamin C Protects Against Coronavirus. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n04.shtml
• 2. Downing D. (1988) Day Light Robbery. Arrow Books, London. ISBN-13: 978-0099567400
• 3. Alipio MM. (2020) Vitamin D supplementation could possibly improve clinical outcomes of patients infected with Coronavirus-2019 (COVID- 2019). Preprint available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3571484
• 4. Raharusuna P, Priambada S, Budiarti C et al. (2020) Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study.
• 5. Ilie, P., Stefanescu, S., Smith, L. (2020) The role of Vitamin D in the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection and mortality. Research Square preprint. https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr147305
• 6. Lips P, Cashman K, Lamberg-Allardt C et al (2019) Current vitamin D status in European and Middle East countries and strategies to prevent vitamin D deficiency: a position statement of the European Calcified Tissue Society. Eur J Endocrinol. 180:23-54. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/30721133
• 7. Oaklander M (2020) Almost Every Hospitalized Coronavirus Patient Has Another Underlying Health Issue, According to a Study of New York Patients. Time Magazine, April 22, 2020. https://time.com/5825485/coronavirus-risk-factors
• 8. Richardson S, Hirsch JS, Narasimhan M. (2020) Presenting Characteristics, Comorbidities, and Outcomes Among 5700 Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 in the New York City Area. JAMA. 323:2052-2059. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765184
• 9. Klingberg E, Oleröd G, Konar J, et al. (2015) Seasonal variations in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in a Swedish cohort. Endocrine, 49:800-808. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25681052
• 10. UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) (2016) Vitamin D and Health. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537616/SACN_Vitamin_D_and_Health_report.pdf
• 11. Vieth R (2006) Critique of the considerations for establishing the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D: critical need for revision upwards. J Nutr, 136:1117-1122. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16549491
• 12. Vieth R, Chan PC, MacFarlane GD. (2001) Efficacy and safety of vitamin D(3) intake exceeding the lowest observed adverse effect level. Am J Clin Nutr, 73:288-294. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157326
• 13. Cashman KD, Ritz C, Adebayo FA, et al. (2019) Differences in the dietary requirement for vitamin D among Caucasian and East African women at Northern latitude. Eur J Nutr. 58:2281-2291. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30022296

Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness.

For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org

Find a Doctor: To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n09.shtml

The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

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COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos in VitaminDWiki follows

Contents as of Sept 17:

• 32 trial registrations, 1 trial result, 19 observations, 9 recommendations, 42 associations, 68 speculations, 23 videos

Top Vitamin D and COVID-19 recent updates

• Virtually no COVID-19 cases in countries having more than 30 ng of Vitamin D - Sept 17, 2020
  • 
• Studies on Vitamin D and COVID-19 (11 categories) - Sept 20, 2020
• Rate of COVID-19 test positive is 40 pcnt lower if high vitamin D (192,000 people) - Holick Sept 2020
  • 
• 14.7 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if less than 12 ng of Vitamin D (185 Germans) – Sept 10, 2020
  • 
• Low D increases risk of infection. Dr. Fauci Sept 11
  • "If you're deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection. I would not mind recommending, and I do it myself, taking vitamin D supplements,..." 32 minutes into Instagram interview
  • Dr. Fauci takes 6,000 IU of Vitamin D daily – Sept 2020
• COVID-19 defeated by activated Vitamin D in Spain - pilot RCT Aug 29, 2020
• COVID-19 1.77X less likely if more than 20 ng of vitamin D (489 people) – JAMA Sept 2020
• COVID-19 increased: 3.5 if Ultra-Orthodox, 2.6X if dark skin (52,000 Israelis) - Sept, 2020
  • 1.8 X higher risk if <12 ng vs >30 ng - independent of sex, race
• Parkinson's Disease patients who were taking Vitamin D were 0.56 X less likely to catch COVID-19 - June 2020
  • COVID‐19 in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Living in Lombardy, Italy:   https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28176
  • 
  • Note: Parkinson’s patients – 41 percent now supplement with Vitamin D – Nov 2017
• WHO – Severe COVID-19 mortality reduced by hormones (should consider hormone D too) - Sept 2020
• COVID-19 Call to Action – eliminate Vitamin D deficiency – Manson Sept 1, 2020
• Vitamin D in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 (16 reasons) – Sept 1, 2020
• Vitamin D associated with less severe COVID-19 (Iran) - Aug 28, 2020
• Perhaps the Vitamin D deficiency pandemic caused the COVID-19 pandemic - Aug 17, 2020 Speculation by VitaminDWiki
• Mainstream Media Catching on to Vitamin D’s Impact on COVID - Aug 17, 2020
• Massive Review of papers on Vitamin D and COVID-19 - peer reviewed Aug 7?

Search Google Scholar for COVID-19 Vitamin D 19,100 publications Sept 18, 2020

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Intervention

Intervention Trial Summary Table

• COVID-19 defeated by activated Vitamin D in Spain - pilot RCT Aug 29, 2020

Observational

• COVID-19 3.2X more likely to be severe if vitamin D deficient (80 patients) – Sept 22, 2020
• Virtually no COVID-19 cases in countries having more than 30 ng of Vitamin D - Sept 17, 2020
  • 
• Studies on Vitamin D and COVID-19 (11 categories) - Sept 20, 2020
• Rate of COVID-19 test positive is 40 pcnt lower if high vitamin D (192,000 people) - Holick Sept 2020
  • 
• Admission to COVID-19 ICU 1.7X more likely to have less than 20 ng of vitamin D – Sept 2020
• Vitamin D levels were NOT associated with COVID-19 severity - Sept 2020
  • ALL patients had < 20 ng of vitamin D.
  • Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on COVID-19-A Prospective Analysis from the CovILD Registry,
  • Hint: need >30 ng to get a benefit    doi: 10.3390/nu12092775
• 14.7 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if less than 12 ng of Vitamin D (185 Germans) – Sept 10, 2020
• COVID-19 increased: 3.5 if Ultra-Orthodox, 2.6X if dark skin (52,000 Israelis) - Sept, 2020
• COVID-19 1.77X less likely if more than 20 ng of vitamin D (489 people) – JAMA Sept 2020
  • 1.8 X higher risk if <12 ng vs >30 ng - independent of sex, race
• Vitamin D associated with less severe COVID-19 (Iran) - Aug 28, 2020
• Less COVID-19 at high altitude due to more Vitamin D or other possible reasons – July 2020
• Far fewer COVID-19 deaths in the summer (Europe, Canada) Aug 21
  • Death rates fell as vitamin D levels typically go up in the summer.
  • Many charts. 4 other possible reasons for the drop in death rates
• COVID ARDS deaths 2X more likely if less than 10 ng of Vitamin D – Aug 8, 2020
  • 
• Observations that Vitamin D, Zinc, and Selenium separately reduce COVID-19 – Aug 7, 2020
• Vitamin D Supplementation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Mayo Clinic Letter (Online June 6) Aug 5, FREE 2 page PDF
  • "In Slovenia, in view of COVID-19 pandemic, medical doctors were urgently advised by leading experts to supplement vitamin D in high-risk and fragile individuals and in COVID-19 patients"
• Russian Hospital observed 5X more likely to have severe COVID-19 if Vitamin D Deficient – Aug 2020
• Vitamin D Sufficiency Reduced Risk for Morbidity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients - Holick July 14
  • No COID19 deaths in a hospital if >41 ng and <80 years old
  • [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0239799&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+plosone%2FPLoSONE+%28PLOS+ONE+-+New+Articles%29|Peer reviewed publication] Sept 25
  • "We did observe that 6.3% of the patients who had a blood level of 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/mL succumbed to the infection compared to 9.7% and 20% who died and had a circulating blood level above and below 30 ng/mL respectively. Thus, a blood level of at least 40 ng/mL may be optimal for vitamin D’s immunomodulatory effect. "
  • [https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239799.s001&type=supplementary|Nice 4 minute video by Dr. Holick] - unfortunately only recommends 1500 - 2000 IU for adults, which will take >6 months to get most people above 16 ng
  • 
• Evaluation of the Relationship Between Zinc Vitamin D and b12 Levels in the Covid-19 Positive Pregnant Women posted May 29
  • Exclusion Criteria: No vitamin D , Vitamin B12 or Zinc supplement use
• Clinical trial Arm1: Observe COVID-19 Deaths and Vitamin D levels in the UK trial completion June 2021
  • Arm2: Measure Vitamin D of patients in general practices and see if they get COVID-19 in the next 6 months (prevention)
• Clinical trial observing Vitamin D levels of 500 people in Spain at entry into ICU and recording outcomes analysis to be completed July 2020
• Clinical trial to observe vitamin D levels of 100 COVID-19 Turks in hospital to be completed July 2020
  • Bursa City Hospital, NCT04394390
• WHO 3 RCT for Vitamin D and COVID-19 as of May 27 (WHO not responding when asked for details)
  • NCT04386044 Investigating the Role of Vitamin D in the Morbidity of COVID-19 Patients 10/05/2020
  • NCT04334005 Vitamin D on Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 29/03/2020
  • ChiCTR2000029732 Impact of vitamin D deficiency on prognosis of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) 2020-02-10
• Clinical trial to measure Vitamin D status AND vitamin D genes of COVID-19 patients in Portugal Study completion date March 2021
  • No intervention, hope they consider genes not noticed by Vit. D tests: such as Vitamin D Receptor, CYP27B1

Vitamin D Dosing Recommendations for COVID-19

• A single dose of 300,000 IU of vitamin D should fight COVID-19 for 2 months - Hypothesis - Aug 21, 2020
• Vitamin D recommended for COVID-19 – yet another study – July 17, 2020
• Massive Review of papers on Vitamin D and COVID-19 - July 3, 2020
  • 
• Portion of image from June 5 video (below)
  • 
• Parkinson's Disease patients who were taking Vitamin D were 0.56 X less likely to catch COVID-19 - June 2020
  • COVID‐19 in Parkinson’s Disease Patients Living in Lombardy, Italy:   https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28176
  • 
• Commentary: Myths and facts on vitamin D amidst the COVID-19 pandemic Metabolism, June 2, FREE PDF, peer-reviewed publication
  • "Preventive doses of vitamin D3 of 10,000 IU/day for 4 weeks followed by 5000 IU/day to reach a target 25(OH)D level of 100–150 nmol/L [24], and treatment doses >6000 IU/day in deficient individuals to reach a similar level and reduce disease progression [48], are suggested. ""
  • Comment: Strange that the treatment dose is less than the prevention dose. Note treatment dose will take > 3 months to help
    • Perhaps they meant the treatment dose to be 60,000 IU, not 6,000 IU
• Perspective: improving vitamin D status in the management of COVID-19 May 22 free PDF
  • If low: 50,000 IU twice a week at the diagnosis (100,000 IU total)., then 50,000 IU taken once a week for the 2nd and 3rd weeks.
    • Note: VitaminDWiki believes that this dosing is not large enough for prevention, much less treatment
• COVID-19 might be prevented in 2 months by 50,000 IU weekly – May 12, 2020
• for people who have not been taking any vitamin D BusinessWorld May 22 - by Dr Renu Mahtani in videos below
  • Vitamin D 60k IU twice a week for two weeks to be followed by 60k once a week for the next six weeks.
  • or Vitamin D 60k IU daily for three days to be followed by 60k weekly for the total period of two months.
  • Thus 480,000 IU total, No Vitamin D testing needed

Some people wanted improved immune systems, so took more vitamin D

• 2X to 10 X reduction in rate of preemies during COVID-19 in some countries NYT July 19
  • No mention about any possible increased Vitamin D sales in Denmark, Ireland, Calgary,
• Sales of vitamin D supplements up 3000% after Public Health England recommendation May 14
  • BBC reported a 6X decrease in % people dying of COVID-19 BBC June 16
  • 
    • "Wonder if increased D ==> fewer % of COVID-19 patients ended up dying: 6% ==> 1%. Noted also in Italy
    • Alternately, the decreased death rate of COVID-19 patients might be just due to more Vitamin D in the summer
    • 
• COVID-19 resulted in 3.7X decrease in Irish Very Low Weight Births (Vitamin D) - June 2020 Vitamin D sales had increased by 2500%
  • I expect to find many other observations of:
    • Fear of COVID-19 ==> Want to improve immune system ==> Take Vitamin D ==> Improved health
    • Candidate health concerns for which people have probably have heard about Vitamin D include:
      • Pregnancy, Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Cancer

COVID-19 associated with Low Vitamin D

• Studies on Vitamin D and COVID-19 (11 categories) - Sept 20, 2020
• Low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients hospitalised with COVID‐19 are associated with greater disease severity July 3 FREE PDF
  • Has undergone peer review, 200,000 IU Vitamin D occasional dosing, 134 people
• Obesity, walking pace and risk of severe COVID-19: Analysis of UK Biobank preprint July 11
  • normal weight slow walkers were 2.5 more likely to get COVID-19
    • Seniors 2.2 X more likely to walk slowly if very low vitamin D – meta-analysis Dec 2017 In VitaminDWiki
    • Slow walking speed of youths 14 times more likely if low vitamin D - Dec 2016 In VitaminDWiki
• COVID-19 linked to low vitamin D in 6 of 7 PubMed studies (as of April) – June 2020
• Perspective: Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity - plausibly linked by latitude, ethnicity, impacts on cytokines, ACE2, and thrombosis (R1) July 2020, FREE PDF
• ICU was 2X less likely for COVID-19 hospitalization if Vitamin D more than 20 ng – July 2020
• 7X less likely to test COVID-19 positive if had more than 30 ng of Vitamin D (7,804 Israelis) - preprint July 3
  • and 20X less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19
  • Peer-reviewed July 23 FREE PDF
  • Low plasma 25(OH) vitamin D level is associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection: an Israeli population-based study preprint
• T1 Diabetic children with low vitamin D have COVID-19 problems (like diabetic adults) - preprint May 15
  • COVID-19: Considerations for Children and Adolescents with Diabetes
• COVID-19 deaths strongly correlated with percent having less than 10 ng of Vitamin D in a country– July 1 2020
  • 
  • 
• Pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 5X more often than non-pregnant women NYT June 24
  • 31% vs 6%. Note: NYT article is confusing. Note: Vitamin D levels drop during pregnancy
• The role of vitamin D in reducing risk of COVID-19: a brief survey of the literature - June 9, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
• Evidence Supports a Causal Model for Vitamin D in COVID-19 Outcomes – June 3, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
  • Founder of VitaminDWiki believes that Causal Modeling will replace many RCTs in the future
    • BIG DATA is far faster and lower cost than RCTs while being able to consider far more interactions
  • Model A: 16 predictions match observed data; 3 predictions cannot be determined.
  • 
• Obese have major problems with COVID-19 - probably due to lower vitamin D and higher ACE2 June 5, 2020
  • 1244 studies of Obesity and COVID-19 as of June 6
• Low Vitamin D increased chance of COVID-19, unless supplement – May 13, 2020
  • 
• Researchers show potential link between vitamin D and coronavirus NBC News Madison Wisconsin May 22
  • Reporting on the study from the University in that city - which is below
• Vitamin D for Covid-19? May 12 FREE PDF
• Perspective: improving vitamin D status in the management of COVID-19 European Journal of Clinical Nutrition May 12 FREE PDF
• Avoidance of vitamin D deficiency to slow the COVID-19 pandemic Martin Kohlmeier, BMJ, May 20 FREE PDF
• Vitamin D deficiency as risk factor for severe COVID-19: a convergence of two pandemics preprint May 5. updated May 18
  • 186 patients. Lower Vitamin D levels associated with worse COVID-19 only for males
  • 
  • Vitamin D levels   : all males at same hospital in 2019,       males in 2020 with COVID-19
  • 
• COVID-19 and vitamin D—Is there a link and an opportunity for intervention? Hrvoje Jakova, letter to the editor, May 1, FREE PDF
• [https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-30390/v1 |No COVID-19 patient in ICU had >20 ng, 4 had 12.5-20 ng, 13 had < 12.ng ] preprint May 22
• COVID-19 associated with low Vitamin D in more than 20 studies – May 21, 2020 BMJ reply
• Max Minute: How Much Does Vitamin D Help Against COVID-19? CBS News NYC Video May 19
• The Essential Role of Vitamin D in the Biosynthesis of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides May Explain Why Deficiency Increases Mortality Risk in COVID-19 Infections preprint May 16 (at least 10,000 IU daily)
• Vitamin D appears to play role in COVID-19 mortality rates Northwestern Univ. May 7
  • "Patients with severe deficiency are twice as likely to experience severe complications, including death"
  • "...statistical analysis of data from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States."
• There are 2 concurrent pandemics – COVID-19 and Vitamin D deficiency – May 13, 2020
• Vitamin D Deficiency and ARDS after SARS-CoV-2 Infection Irish Medical Journal May 11
  • Analysis of 36 COVID-19 patients: Vitamin D status: (nmol) ARDS 27, pneumonia 41;
  • and, if <30 nmol. 3.2 X more likely to have intubation

Vitamin D levels are lower in those who test positive for COVID-19 -[doi:10.3390/nu12051359| Nutrients] May 09

• 
• [https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/05/08/vitamin-d-level-correlated-to-covid19-outcomes.aspx?cid_source=dnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1HL&cid=20200508Z1&et_cid=DM527863&et_rid=867359477 |Vitamin D Level Is Directly Correlated to COVID-19 Outcome] Mercola May 8
  • Overview of many studies and video by Ivor Cummins
• [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200507131012.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fhealth_medicine%2Fvitamin_d+%28Vitamin+D+News+--+ScienceDaily%29 |Vitamin D linked to low virus death rate in 20 countries in Europe] Science Daily May 7
• [https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.01.20087965 |Evidence Supports a Causal Model for Vitamin D in COVID-19 Outcomes] May 6 preprint
  • Excellent extensive use of Causal Influence AI to discover associations.
  • I have suspected that Causal Influence could be much better, far lower cost, and faster than the use of RCTs
• [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3586555|Evidence of Protective Role of Ultraviolet-B (UVB) Radiation in Reducing COVID-19 deaths] preprint May 7
  • "permanent unit increase in UVI is associated with a 2.2 % decline in daily growth rates of cumulative COVID-19 deaths [p < 0.01]
  • as well as a 1.9 % decline in the daily growth rates of CFR [p < 0.05]
  • 64 countries, 78 days, 6 UVI models
• [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3593258#.XrE0oF1wSjU.twitter |Vitamin D Level of Mild and Severe Elderly Cases of COVID-19: A Preliminary Report] May 5
  • 176 seniors in S. Asia - published in India
  • 
• Almost everyone with COVID-19 in a Louisiana ICU had low vitamin D – April 29, 2020
• COVID-19 mortality rate highest North of 35 degrees latitude (Vitamin D) – April 20, 2020
• COVID-19 was 19X more likely if low vitamin D (may be invalid data)– April 2020 Philippines
  • The raw data has strange gaps in the vitamin D levels
  • 
• Research Suggests a Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19 Deaths May 5
• Indonesia preprint 13X if vitamin D insufficient,19X for patients who are vitamin D deficient.
  • VitaminDWiki has requested but has not yet access to the raw data
• COVID-19 infections associated with very low vitamin D – Turin Italy – March 2020

Speculation

• Studies on Vitamin D and COVID-19 (11 categories) - Sept 20, 2020
• WHO – Severe COVID-19 mortality reduced by hormones (should consider hormone D too) - Sept 2020
• COVID-19 Call to Action – eliminate Vitamin D deficiency – Manson Sept 1, 2020
• Vitamin D in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 (16 reasons) – Sept 1, 2020
• AARP features a news item on Vitamin D (and Zinc) and COVID-19 AARP Aug 17
  • Nothing new, but it is nice to see Vitamin D being highlighted
• Perhaps the Vitamin D deficiency pandemic caused the COVID-19 pandemic - Aug 17, 2020
• The Covid-19 pandemic is a Vitamin D Deficiency problem and is easy to solve – June 2020
• Mainstream Media Catching on to Vitamin D’s Impact on COVID - Aug 17, 2020
• Prudent to consider that Vitamin D has a role in COVID-19 – meta-analysis – Aug 7, 2020 nice chart and table
• Progesterone and ACE2 are possible reasons for fewer female COVID-19 deaths
  • 
• MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Vitamin D and COVID-19 in European Journal of Endocrinology Aug 1
  • 32 pages, 180 references, FREE PDF
• Vitamin D3 and K2 and their potential contribution to reducing the COVID-19 mortality rate Inter. J. of Infectious Diseases, Aug 5, FREE PDF
  • Has a Causal Loop Diagram of Vitamin D3, K2 and the immune system
• Call to Action: Eliminate Vitamin D Deficiency during COVID-19 (7 reasons) – Manson July 23, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
• Vitamin D and Inflammation: Potential Implications for Severity of Covid-19 May 7, PMID: 32603576
• Vitamin D Supplementation: A Potential Approach for Coronavirus/COVID-19 Therapeutics?
  • June 23, 2020 FREE PDF, Peer reviewed by Dr. Grant. Includes the following:
  • "We demonstrated that a daily oral supplement of 4000 IU of vitamin D during 10 days represented an adequate dose to enhance dengue virus control and reduce the cytokine response, in vitro, suggesting that vitamin D status can, in fact, restrict the viral assault (53, 54)."
  • See also VitaminDWiki: Dengue virus prevented by a small amount of Vitamin D – RCT Nov 2019
• Experts criticise UK govt. for review of Vitamin D COVID-19 Nutragredients July 2
  • "Shouldn't the best available proof be enough when it is better than doing nothing?"
• Nursing homes could reduce risk of COVID-19 with Vitamin D – June 30, 2020
• Hill's Criteria indicates that COVID-19 will be treated by Vitamin D - Annweiler June 8 2020
  • Evidence that vitamin D is causally linked to COVID-19 outcomes using

• Vitamin D: A cheap yet effective bullet against coronavirus disease-19 – Are we convinced yet?
  • June 5, FREE PDF
• How We can fix this pandemic in a month (Vitamin D: 20K IU for 14 days) – June 22, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
• COVID-19 1.9X more likely if Hypocalcemia (which is associated with low vitamin D) June 22, small study, FREE 17 page PDF
• Possible Role of Vitamin D in Covid-19 Infection in Pediatric Population Endocrinol Investigation June 15, FREE PDF
• Covid-19: Public health agencies review whether vitamin D supplements could reduce risk BMJ June 19
  • The 2017 BMJ publication that concluded that vitamin D reduced the risk of ARDS was viewed 300,000 times since COVID-19 started.
  • An RCT this Winter may be run by the UK to confirm the possibility
    • Note: Many other RCTs are already underway - see the top of this section
• Vitamin D and Coronavirus Geriatric Nursing, June 18
• Vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities in COVID-19 patients – A fatal relationship – June 7, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
• Does Vitamin D play a role in the management of Covid-19 in Brazil? April 2020 free PDF
  • A strong role, but recommends against high doses such as 10,000 IU - no reason given
• Exploring the Links Between Coronavirus and Vitamin D NYT June 10
  • A review of preprints, which does not look at on-line comments about about errors in a few of them.
  • Apparently authored by a reporter, not a scientist
• Is Vitamin D One of the Key Elements in COVID-19 Days? June 2020, letter to editor, Turkey
  • " Although there is a need for more research related to this subject, we think that supplementing vitamin D as a part of standard nutrition may be somewhat effective in providing clinical benefit"
• El rol de la vitamina D en la infección por SARS-CoV-2 Spanish June FREE PDF
• Is Vitamin D One of the Key Elements in COVID-19 Days? Letter to the editor of The journal of nutrition, health & aging - June 13
  • YES, 20 references
• Vitamin D Levels and COVID-19 Susceptibility: Is there any Correlation? June 2 FREE PDF
  • 4,000 IU for 2 months should help a lot. No data (yet) to support quickly fighting COVID-19 with loading doses
• Does Vitamin D play a role in the management of Covid-19 in Brazil? June 1, FREE PDF
  • Recommends AGAINST 10,000 IU/day
• Supplementing with high doses of vitamin D could represent a promising alternative to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection June 1, peer reviewed ,FREE Spanish PDF
  • 10,000 IU daily, 50,000 to 100,000 IU weekly
• Your Vitamin D Level Must Reach 60ng/mL Before the Second Wave Mercola June 1
  • Founder of VitaminDWiki believes than 40 ng should be sufficient - based on ~40 studes
• Does vitamin D (and C) help with Covid-19 - May 2020 Germany
• Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 pandemic May 29 FREE PDF
  • Patrick Zemb a Peter Bergmanb Carlos A.Camargo Jr c, Etienne Cavalier d, Catherine Cormier e, Marie Courbebaisse f, Bruce Hollis g, Salvatore Minisola h Stefan Pilz i, Pawel Pludowsk j, François Schmitt k, Mihnea Zdrenghea l, Jean-ClaudeSouberbielle m"
• Premorbid IL-6 levels may predict mortality from COVID-19 preprint, Morry Silberstein May 29 FREE PDF
• Vitamin D: A simpler alternative to tocilizumab for trial in COVID-19? Medical Hypotheses, Morry Silberstein July 2020 FREE PDF
  • "Vitamin D lowers immune cell production of IL-6"
    • 
• Does COVID-19 have a fear of hights? -(or just a fear of the increased VItamin D generated at high altitudes) WP May 31
  • Cusco Peru (11,000 feet) - Vitamin D is not mentioned. yet there may be 50% more UVB-generated Vitamin D at that altiude
  • "In one peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, researchers from Australia, Bolivia, Canada and Switzerland looking at epidemiological data from Bolivia, Ecuador and Tibet found populations living above 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) reported significantly lower levels of confirmed infections than their lowland counterparts"
• Reduced COVID-19 in Mexico is associated with higher UV or higher elevation (both of which are associated with higher vitamin D) preprint May 27
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• Vitamin-D and COVID-19: Do Deficient Risk a Poorer Outcome? Lancet May 20
  • Reviews many reports and includes the following comment by a researcher of "COVIDENCE UK, a study to investigate how diet and lifestyle factors might influence transmission of SARS-CoV-2, severity of COVID-19 symptoms, speed of recovery, and any long-term effect"
  • "Despite his enthusiasm for the study, Martineau is pragmatic: “At best vitamin D deficiency will only be one of many factors involved in determining outcome of COVID-19, but it’s a problem that could be corrected safely and cheaply; there is no downside to speak of, and good reason to think there might be a benefit”.
• Should be cost-effective to use Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Curcumin to fight Covid-19 in India preprint May 22
  • Fails to mention dose sizes or frequencies
• U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (Wisc.) wants the CDC to investigate if Vitamin D can fight COVID-19 May 22
• Letter: does vitamin D have a potential role against COVID-19 May 20
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• Optimisation of Vitamin D Status for Enhanced Immuno-protection Against Covid-19 Irish Medical Journal, April 2020
• Lungs as target of COVID-19 infection: Protective common molecular mechanisms of vitamin D and melatonin as a new potential synergistic treatment Aug 2020
  • both should help fight lung problems. Clinical Trials needed to see to discover dosing and benefits FREE PDF
• Mechanism of inflammatory response in associated comorbidities in COVID-19 PubMed literature Review May 12, free PDF
  • "Vitamin D is highlighted as a potential therapeutic target, because in addition to acting on the immune system, it plays an important role in the control of cardiometabolic diseases"
• Vitamin D: A Low-Hanging Fruit in COVID-19? Medscape May 17
  • Statements by a dozen doctors, such as Dr. Rosen: "I've been a huge skeptic from the get-go, and loudly criticized the data for doing nothing. I am surprised at myself for saying there might be some effect,"
• DOES VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY REALLY INCREASE RISK OF DEATH FROM COVID-19? Newsweek May 15
  • Reviews about 10% of the items on this page
• Which fights COVID-19 more in the long-term - Vitamin D or Ultraviolet light Elemental+ May 13
  • Note: Megadoses of Vitamin D can restore the immune system in days, whereas UV takes months
• Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2 virus (Vitamin D should help) British Medical Journal May 13, 2020
  • Unfortunately. the UK consensus is that 400 IU is enough to prevent or treat any health problem, including COVID-19
• The Possible Role of Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Associated Mortality in COVID-19 Patients preprint April 30
  • FoxNews May 7: China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US.
  • Also reported on in Science Blogs and as The Vitamin That Reduces COVID Risk PSYBLOG May 30
  • "Backman said this correlation might help explain the many mysteries surrounding COVID-19, such as why children are less likely to die. Children do not yet have a fully developed acquired immune system, which is the immune system’s second line of defense and more likely to overreact. Children primarily rely on their innate immune system,” Backman said. “This may explain why their mortality rate is lower.”
  • "Not only does vitamin D enhance our innate immune systems, it also prevents our immune systems from becoming dangerously overactive"
• Role of vitamin D in pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19 infection preprint April 20
  • Includes ACE2 discussion
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• Perhaps solve the other pandemic: Vitamin D deficiency — to help beat Coronavirus? April 9, Joanneova - Australia 258 comments 10 days later
• Vitamin D reduces viral respiratory infections – editorial April 18, 2020 in VitaminDWiki
• Taiwan seniors have high vitamin D levels, perhaps that reduces the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks von Helden April 18
• Does Vitamin D Protect Us From Viral Infections? April 6
  • Croatian, 17 references - probably does protect
• Deficient Vitamin D status might be a severe risk factor for COVID-19 DailyKos April 9
• The role of Vitamin D in the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection and mortality April 8
  • Charts of country levels of vitamin D and COIVD-19 cases and mortality Published May 6
  • Chart by von Helden No high death rates if Vitamin D> 30 ng / ml. (Mortality> 0.1 dead / 1000 inhabitants)
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• COVID-19: Vitamin D deficiency; and, death rates; are both disproportionately higher in elderly Italians, Spanish, Swedish Somali, and African Americans? April 7
• Vitamin D may be a COVID-19 Game-changer - BMJ April 6, 2020
• Vitamins C and D being considered as Coronavirus Treatments - April 7, 2020
• Preventing a COVID-19 pandemic with Vitamin D – Grant April 2020)
• COVID-19 and Vitamin D: Could We Be Missing Something Simple? Children's Health Defence April 9
• COVID-19 prompts awareness of deficiencies of Vitamin D, C and Magnesium - April 6 2020
• Vitamin D Supplements Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infection and Death - April 9, 2020
• Vitamin D should prevent COVID-19 (recommended dose takes 3 months to raise levels) - April 2020
• 97 year old woman with hypertension, diabetes, heart problems but with 75 ng of Vitamin D survived COViD-19 von Helden April 10
• Vitamin D supplementation could prevent and treat influenza, CORONAVIRUS, and pneumonia infections - March 2020

Higher levels of vitamin D result in fewer COVID-19 problems

• COVID-19 might be fought by 2 doses of Vitamin D (200,000-300,000 IU each) – Feb 2020 peer-reviewed publication

VIDEOS and PODCASTS

• COVID-19 and Vitamin D – 3 minute video - Sept 2020 made by students at low cost, but with high content
• Interview of A Marteneau Aug 2, 36 minutes
  • 10X more needed for prevention trial as treatment trial, 400 IU might be useful in the UK
• Chris Masterjohn 33 minute Vitamin D and COVID-19 literature review Aug 14
  • " > 30 ng "in some way, shape, or form is associated with lower COVID-19 risk"
• Vitamin D looks very promising - Dr. Cambell July 27, 37 minutes
• High Fructose reduces Vitamin D needed to fight COVID-19 June 12, 2020 video, reviews many studies
• COMING OUT STRONGER FROM LOCKDOWN WITH VITAMIN D: A VITAMIN D MOVEMENT INITIATIVE Renu Mahtani and 3 others 13 minutes, June 5 - see her other video below.
  • "It is not an optional supplement, It is a non negotiable cellular necessity" 40 ng minimum
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  • "Worrying about Vitamin D toxicity is like worrying about drowning when you are dying of thirst" Dr. Cannell
  • Anecdote: 50,000 IU daily for 10 days given to people who live with person infected by COVID-19 ==> prevented infection
• Rhonda Patrick on Joe Rogan May 17
  • Philippines: every standard deviation ==> 8 times more likely chance to have a mild
  • Indonesia: only 4% of patients with sufficient vitamin D died.
  • Blacks 2X as likely to die from COVID-19 than whites in England
  • Daily or weekly vitamin D reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection by more than 50%
  • Vitamin D normalizes ACE2 receptor levels in animals
• The Cheapest COVID-19 Therapy in the World May 24
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• Doctor Mike Hansen - 2 nice videos discussing Vitamin D science and interaction with COVID-19
  • Vitamin D3, Vitamin D2 and Calcitriol May 21, 13 minutes    Does Vitamin D help with Immunity? May 30 13 minutes
• COVID-19 - Do You Need to Start Getting This Vital Nutrient? Mercola May 31
  • Video with Hollis, Wagner, and Baggerly of Vitamin D and COVID-19; a 2nd video of Wagner on the immune system
• Understanding—COVID-19: Actions For Mitigating Risks—Facts & Myths Sunil Wimalawansa, 90 minutes May 27
• Dr. Campbell (has daily COVID-19 videos) COVID-19 and Vitamin D May 9
• Dr. Coimbra: Vitamin D and COVID, 88 minutes in Portuguese May 1
  • Click here for transcript in many languages
• COVID-19 and Vitamin D 30 minute updated May 12, excellent, Renu Mahtani
  • previous version, taken down by YouTube, had 600,000 views, >2,000 comments
  • for people who have not been taking any vitamin D she recommends Business World May 22
    • Vitamin D 60k IU twice a week for two weeks to be followed by 60k once a week for the next six weeks.
    • or Vitamin D 60k IU daily for three days to be followed by 60k weekly for the total period of two months.
• Could Vitamin D Help with COVID-19 April 9 India
• Vitamin D against Viral Infections: Antiviral Nutrition 2020 (excerpt 3) by Dr. Alex Vasquez March 6, 8 minutes
• Vitamin D for respiratory infections April 18 Rishi Desai CDC Viral Infections
• Could Vitamin D Help with COVID-19? April 6
• Vitamin D and Immunity, Lots of Evidence April 15 Dr. Campbell
• Vitamin D normalizes the ACE2, which is the attachment point for COVID-19 virus Dr. Patrick Video April 12
  • Her video reviews about a dozen publications. Her description of the importance of vitamin D starts at 24:52
• Many videos by Sunil Wimalawansa April 12-- - , 5-10 minutes each
  • He is starting a Randomized Controlled Trial in Sri Lanka for COVID-19 treatment by Vitamin D - not described in the videos
  • 20: Vitamin D & COVID-19
  • 21: How does vitamin D reduce COVID-19 infection?
  • 22: What is ACE2 receptor, through which COVID-19 enters cells
  • 23: How does COVID-19 kill us?
  • 26: How does vitamin D reduce COVID-19 infection
  • 44: What have we learned during the past 2 weeks on COVID-19?
  • 45: How vitamin D help to attenuate COVID-19?
  • 48: Herd immunity and the importance of testing
  • 53 Reducing the severity of COVID-19 with vitamin D adequacy
  • 54: Tropical countries, warm weathwer, and lower deaths due to COVID-19
    • See also Video May 27 90 minute
• Dr. Eric Berg DC April 5 - one of his many vitamin D videos
• Take 100,000 IU of vitamin D, and again 3 months later to prevent COVID-19 Dr. Anderson March 22

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Groups which actively ignore Vitamin D possibility

• The Wellcome-Gates COVID-19 Accelerator initiative expressly prohibits funding for Vitamins.

Why/How Vitamin D both treats and prevents virus

• Coronaviruses attach to cells via ACE2, Vitamin D might reduce ACE2
• All previous Coronarvirus have been treated by Vitamin D
• Most enveloped virus are treated by Vitamin D
• Vitamin D can inhibit enveloped virus (e.g. Herpes, Zoster, Epstein, Hepatitis, Ebola) – March 2011
  • Also: cytomegalovirus, retrovirus-like HIV, Dengue, Yellow fever. Measles, Mumps, smallpox
  • The interplay between vitamin D and viral infections – Jan 2019
  • Influenza virus might be prevented and treated by Vitamin D, if no vaccination – Aug 2018
  • Influenza prevented by 40 ng levels or treated with vitamin D hammer (50,000 IU) – June 2015
  • Influenza of 1918 and vitamin D - July 2010 -an H1N1 that was strongly associated with low vitamin D
  • Dengue fever - 8X higher risk for getting worse if low vitamin D – Sept 2017
• Immune system is fortified by Vitamin D (other supplements help too)
• Colds and flu prevented and treated by Vitamin D - many studies

Short URL for this section = https://is.gd/COVItaminD