Vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities in COVID-19 patients - A fatal relationship?
NFS Journal (Official Journal of the Society of Nutrition and Food Science) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nfs.2020.06.001
Hans K. Biesalski
Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University Hohenheim, D 70599 Stuttgart, Germany. biesal at t-online.de, biesal at uni-hohenheim.de.
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Table of contents
- Introduction
- Vitamin D effects
- Vitamin D and immune system
- Food sources
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Risk factors for severe courses of COVID-19
- The renin-angiotensin-system (RAS)
- RAS and SARS-CoV-2
- RAS and vitamin D deficiency
- Vitamin D, blood pressure, and COVID-19 mortality
- Vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases
- Vitamin D, obesity and type II diabetes
- Vitamin D and ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
- Cytokine storm: Vitamin D, SARS-CoV-2, and ACE2
- Kawasaki syndrome
- Therapeutic aspects
- Limitations
- Conclusion
- References in PDF
- COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos - VitaminDWiki
- Intervention
- Trial Results
Introduction
Infections of the respiratory tract are more frequent in the winter months and especially in the northern latitudes than they are in summer [1]. This obviously also applies to the COVID-19 infectious disease that briefly spread all over the world in the winter months and became a pandemic [2,3]. A common feature of the winter months and the inhabitants of all countries north of the 42nd parallel is a hypovitaminosis D that frequently occurs during this period [4]. In addition during cold temperature the virus will be more easily transmitted. This raises the question of whether an inadequate vitamin D supply has an influence on the progression and severity of COVID-19 disease.
A low vitamin D status, measured as the plasma level of the transport form of vitamin D, 25(OH)D,is widespread worldwide and is mainly found in regions of northern latitudes, but also in southern countries [5]. In Europe, vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent during the winter months and affects mainly elderly people and migrants. In Scandinavia only 5% of the population is affected by a low vitamin D status, in Germany, France and Italy more than 25%, particularly older people e.g. in Austria up to 90% of senior citizens [6,7]. In Scandinavian countries, the low incidence of vitamin D deficiency may be due to the traditional consumption of cod liver oil rich in vitamin D and A or to genetic factors resulting in higher synthesis of vitamin D in the epidermal layer [8]. Taken together, low vitamin D status is common in Europe with the exception of the Scandinavian countries. The calculated COVID-19 mortality rate from 12 European countries shows a significant (P = .046) inverse correlation with the mean 25(OH)D plasma concentration [9].
This raises the question whether insufficient vitamin D supply has an influence on the course of COVID-19 disease? An analysis of the distribution of Covid-19 infections showed a correlation between geographical location (30-50° N + ), mean temperature between 5-11°C and low humidity [10]. In a retrospective cohort study (1382 hospitalized patients) 326 died, Among them 70.6% were black patients. However, black race was not independently associated with higher mortality [11]. An excess mortality (2 to sixfold have been described in African-Americans with average latitudes of their state of residence in higher latitudes (> 40) [12]. The mortality of COVID-19 (cases/ million population) shows a clear dependence on latitude. Below latitude 35, mortality decreases markedly [13]. Indeed, there are exceptions e.g. Brazil (tenfold higher than all other latin American countries - except mexico), however, the management of the pandemic may increase infection risk.
Vitamin D effects
The skeletal and extra skeletal effects of vitamin D have recently been described in an extensive review [14]. Vitamin D exerts a genomic and non-genomic effect on gene expression. The genomic effect is mediated by the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), which acts as a ligand activated transcription factor. The active form 1,25(OH)2D binds to the VDR and in most cases heterodimerizes with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), whose ligand is one of the active metabolites of vitamin A, 9-cis retinoic acid. The interaction of this complex with the vitamin D responsive element can regulate the expression of target genes either positively or negatively [15]. The non-genomic effects involve the activation of a variety of signaling molecules that interact with Vitamin D responsive element (VDRE) in the promoter regions of vitamin D dependent genes [16]. Vitamins A and D are also of particlular importance for the barrier function of mucous membranes in the respiratory tract [17,18].
Vitamin D and immune system
Vitamin D plays an essential role in the immune system [19]. Vitamin D interferes with the majority of the immune systems cells such as macrophages, B and T lymphocytes, neutrophils and dendritic cells, which express VDR (for details [20] and Fig. 3). Cathelicidin, a peptide formed by vitamin D stimulated expression, has shown antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses, such as corona viruses [21,22]. Furthermore Vitamin D inhibits the production of pro- inflammatory cytokines and increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines [23].
The active metabolite of vitamin D in macrophages and dendritic cells, derived from the precursor 25(OH)D, leads to the activation of VDR, which, after RXR heterodimerization, results in the expression of various proteins of the innate and adaptive immune system (Treg cells, cytokines, defensins, pattern recognition receptors etc.) [24]. Vitamin D exerts opposite effects on the adaptive (inhibition) and innate (promotion) immunsystem This correlates with an anti-inflammatory response and balances the immune response [25].
The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3 can be formed in T and B lymphocytes and inhibits T cell proliferation and activation [26]. This way, vitamin D may suppress T-cell mediated inflammation and stimulate Treg cells proliferation, by increasing IL-10 formation in DC cells, and thus enhance their suppressive effect [27,28].
Food sources
There are only few dietary sources of vitamin D (cod liver oil, fat fish) that could satisfy the recommended daily allowance (15-20 ug/ day for adults). To reach such amount besides availability of dietary sources, vitamin D skin synthesis, which contributes to 80% in healthy individuals up to the age of 65, is important.
With the exception of mushrooms there are no plant sources of vitamin D. In particular wild mushrooms, which are grown in light. Sun- dried but not fresh mushrooms can contain between 7 and 25 ug/100 g of vitamin D2 [29], which is an important source [30] with a good shelf life [31] and comparable bioavailability to vitamin D3 [32]. Vitamin D status can be significantly improved by fortified foods, as was shown in a meta-analysis [33].
Vitamin D deficiency
Insufficient levels of vitamin D are caused by two main physiological causes: Low UVB exposure, especially in northern regions during the winter season [34] and in case of strong pigmentation, as well as decreased vitamin synthesis in the skin with aging [35]. In addition a poor diet, low in fish and fortified food (if available) are the major reason for deficiency in old age and people living in poverty. Major risk groups [36], besides pregnant women and children under 5, include elderly, over 65 years, those with little or no sun exposure (full body coverage, little contact with the outside world) as well as people with dark skin, especially in Europe and the USA.
The vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem, which is not only observed in the northern countries, but increasingly also in the south. While in Europe, for example, deficits (< 30 nmol) are between 20 and 60% in all age groups, in Asia the figure for children is 61% (Pakistan, India) and 86% (Iran) [37,38].
Particularly critical is the number of migrants from Southern countries with insufficient vitamin D status (<25nmol/L) [39]: e.g. Netherlands 51%, Germany 44% (in summer), UK 31% (end of summer) and 34% (autumn). In India, the number of adults with values < 25 nmol/L ranges from 20% to 96% depending on the region.
The half-life of 25(OH)D3 is about 15 days and that of 25(OH)D2 is between 13 and 15 days, due to the weaker affinity to the vitamin D binding protein [40]. Consequently, longer periods of time indoor, e.g. in care homes or longer time in quarantine, pose risk for developing vitamin D deficiency.
Risk factors for severe courses of COVID-19
Older age and co-morbidities are linked to an insufficient vitamin D supply. Over 60 years of age, a reduction in the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin becomes apparent, which further increases getting older [41]. The precursor of vitamin D, 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin declines about 50% from age 20 to 80 [42], and the elevation of cho- lecalciferol levels in serum following UVB radiation of the skin shows more than a 4-fold difference in individuals aged 62-80 yrs. compared with controls (20-30yrs) [43]. This explains the high number of older individuals with an inadequate vitamin D status.
Based on a meta-analysis including 30 studies with 53,000 COVID- 19 patients, co-morbidities are risk factors for disease severity:
Risk factor Odds ratio | 95% CI | ||
Old age > 50yrs | 2.61 | 2.29-2.98 | |
Male | 1.38 | 1.195-1.521 | |
Smoking | 1.734 | 1.146-2.626 | |
Any co-morbidity | 2.635 | 2.098-3.309 | |
Chronic kidney disease | 6.017 | 2.192-16.514 | |
COPD | 5.323 | 2.613-10.847 | |
Cerebrovascular disease | 3.219 | 1.486-6.972 |
Independent prognostic factors for COVID-19 related death:
Risk factor | Relative risk | 95% CI | |
Old age > 60 | 9.45 | 8.09-11.04 | |
CVD | 6.75 | 5.40-8.43 | |
Hypertension | 4.48 | 3.69-5.45 | |
Diabetes | 4.43 | 3.49-5.61 |
Co-morbidities and old age show a relationship with Renin- Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System (RAS), vitamin D status and COVID-19 infection.
The renin-angiotensin-system (RAS)
RAS plays an important role in maintaining vascular resistance and extracellular fluid homoeostasis. Fig. 1 summarizes the essential steps of this system.
Mainly in the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney, but also in other tissues and cells, renin is formed, which cleaves the angiotensi- nogen secreted from the liver very selectively to the inactive form angiotensin I (Ang I). This decapeptide is then cleaved by a further protease the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) on the surface of the endothelial cells to the active angiotensin II (Ang II), which can bind to two different receptors AT1R or AT2R. Synthesis and secretion of renin in the kidney, as rate limiting enzyme of RAS, is stimulated by fluid volume, reduction of the perfusion pressure or salt concentration and by the sympathetic nervous system activity.
Renin synthesis and secretion is inhibited with increasing Ang II via an AT1R mediated effect and stimulated with decreasing Ang II [44]. The stimulating effect on renin synthesis and secretion due to either low levels of Ang II or Ang II converting inhibitors (ACEI) or Ang II receptor blockers (ARB) is mediated through ligands that activate cAMP/PKA (Protein Kinase A) pathways (e.g. catecholamines, prostaglandins and nitric oxide) [45,46].
Ang II leads to the release of catecholamines and vasoconstriction. Via AT1R, Ang II increases aldosterone release and sodium reabsorption. Furthermore, binding to AT1R has pro-inflammatory and pro- oxidative effects and inhibits the action of insulin in endothelial and muscle cells. The latter can lead to a decrease in NO production in endothelial cells and thus will further increase vasoconstriction [47].
With the discovery of ACE2, a novel homologue of ACE, a transmembrane metallopeptidase with an extracellular ectodomain, the understanding of RAS manifold regulatory function was deepened (Review [48]). ACE2, a monocarboxypeptidase has been shown to cleave Ang I to Ang 1-9, and Ang II to Ang 1-7. This degradation can weaken the effect of Ang II at AT1R and thus counteract the pathological changes. While Ang 1-9 exerts a cardioprotective effect via AT2R [49], Ang 1-7 acts via the Mas Oncogene receptor. This counterbalances the effect of ANG II at AT1R and subsequently the “overstimulation” of the RAS and its pathological consequences [50]. ACE2 is expressed in many organs, especially kidney and lung, and in the cardiovascular system in cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. It can counteract the effects of RAS, such as inflammation, vasoconstriction, hypertrophy and fibrosis, by degrading Ang I and Ang II, thus making them less available for the ACE/AngII/AT1 axis. At the same time ACE2 can strengthen the ACE2/ Ang 1-7/Mas axis which attenuates the proinflammatory RAS activation.
RAS and SARS-CoV-2
Classical pathway
Angiotensinogen
Counter-regulatory pathway
Increases:
- Bloodpressure
- Vasoconstriction
- Inflammation
- Catecholamines
- Cardiac hypertrophy
Decreases:
- Bloodpressure Vasoconstriction Inflammation Catecholamines Cardiac hypertrophy
- Renin
Fig. 1. In the classical RAS pathway Renin, expressed from the renin gene induces cleavage of Angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I which is converted to Angiotensin II via Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). Ang II activates the Angiotensin 1 receptor which results in an increase of blood pressure and further effects on the vascular system. In addition, Ang II suppresses renin synthesis via AT1R. To keep the system in balance a counter regulatory pathway exists. This pathway is activated through cleavage of Ang I to Ang1-9 via ACE2 or AT2R activation or Ang II to Ang1-7 which counter regulates via Mas receptor. This helps the system to stay within a homoeostatic balance, as long as the RAS activity is controlled.
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes the virus spike protein to come into contact with ACE2 on the cell surface and thus to be transported into the cell. This endocytosis causes upregulation of a metallopepti- dase (ADAM17), which releases ACE2 from the membrane, resulting in a loss of the counter regulatory activity to RAS [51]. As a result, proinflammatory cytokines are released extensively into the circulation. This leads to a series of vascular changes, especially in the case of preexisting lesions, which can promote further progression of cardiovascular pathologies.
SARS-CoV-2 not only reduces the ACE2 expression, but also leads to further limitation of the ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas axis via ADAM17 activation, which in turn promotes the absorption of the virus. This results in an increase in Ang II, which further upregulates ADAM 17. Thus a vicious circle is established turning into a constantly self-generating and progressive process. This process may contribute not only to lung damage (Acute respiratory distress syndrome - ARDS), but also to heart injury and vessels damage, observed in COVID-19 patients. Thus, previous lesions of the cardiovascular system represent a risk factor, since coexisting pathologies can progress as a result of the virus infection [52,53].
RAS and vitamin D deficiency
Several studies have shown increased plasma renin activity, higher Ang II concentrations and higher RAS activity as a consequence of low vitamin D status [54,55]. The same applies to the decreasing Renin activity with increasing vitamin D levels [56]. There is an inverse relationship between circulating 25(OH)D and renin, which is explained by the fact that vitamin D is a negative regulator of renin expression and reduces renin expression by suppressing transcriptional activity in the renin gene promoter, thus acting as a negative RAS regulator to prevent overreaction In VDR knock out mice [57,58]. The 1,25(OH)2D induced repression of the renin gene expression is independent from Ang II feedback regulation.
Permanent increase of the renin levels with an increased Ang II formation has been described, suggesting that in vitamin D deficiency the expression and secretion of renin is increased at an early stage [59,60]. This results in increased fluid and salt intake and rise in blood pressure, that has been explained by an increase in renin and consecutive upregulation of the RAS in the brain [61].
Fig. 2 gives a short description of the impact of vitamin D on RAS.
In a small (open-label, blinded endpoint) study with 101 participants who received 2000 IU vitamin D3 or placebo over 6 weeks, a significant decrease in plasma renin activity and concentration was described [62].
The EVITA study examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation (4000IU/day) over 36 months [63]. No relationship was found between blood levels of 1,25(OH)2D and various parameters of the RAS (renin, aldosterone) and vitamin D plasma levels increase. Rather, vitamin D supplementation led to an increase in renin in a subgroup that initially had a mild deficiency of vitamin D. The 25(OH)D value in these subgroups increased from 20.4 nmol/L to 83.7 nmol/L after 36 months. Renin from 859 mIU/L to 1656mIU/L. It cannot be excluded that these were rather toxic effects of a dose in the upper level range. However, the fact that blood levels increase naturally reduced the renin concentration become clear when looking at the placebo group with initial hypovitaminosis D (21.3 nmol/L) with a strong increase after 36 months (45.6 nmol/L). Renin decreases from the initial value of 507 to 430mIU/L after 36 months. According to this, a moderate suppressive effect of vitamin D is conceivable under physiological conditions and in particular in participants with a compensated vitamin D deficiency. The plasma level of renin and 1,25(OH)2D show a significant inverse correlation in hypertensive individuals [64]. In a study on 184 normotensive participants, higher circulating Ang II levels were associated with decreasing 25(OH)D blood levels. After infusion of Ang II there was a blunted renal blood flow, both effects were considered RAS activation in the setting of lower plasma 25(OH)D [65].
Vitamin D, blood pressure, and COVID-19 mortality
Vitamin D supplementation leads to a reduction in blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension [66,67], and to a reduction in blood pressure, plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels in patients with hyperparathyroidism [68,69]. Low vitamin D status may contribute to increased activity of the RAS and subsequent higher blood pressure. An inverse relationship between the concentration of the active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 and blood pressure has been described in hypertensive as well as normotensive individuals [70,71]. In a study using the mendelian randomization approach in 35 trials (146,581 participants) with four SNPs (Single Nucleotid Polymorphism), a causal relationship was shown between increasing 25(OH)D levels and decreased risk of hypertension in individuals with genetic variants leading to low Vitamin D plasma levels [72].
Depending on the study, the number of COVID-19 patients affected with hypertension was between 20 and 30% and the proportion of diabetics between 15 and 22% [73]. Data from 5 studies in Wuhan (n:1458) reported 55.3% and 30.6% cases respectively of hypertension and of diabetes [74]. 49% of the 1591 patients in ICUs in Italy (Lombardy), 1287 of whom needed respirators, had hypertension and were older than the normotensive ones [75].,
Hypertension, followed by diabetes (16.2%), was the most frequent concomitant morbidity in patients with severe course disease [76,77,78].
Vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases
Vitamin D has multiple functions in the cardiovascular system and thus represents an important protective factor of endothelial, vascular muscle, and cardiac muscle cells [79]. In a meta-analysis of 65,994 participants an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D vitamin D plasma levels (below 60 nmol/L) and cardiovascular events was shown [80]. These findings have been confirmed by the Framingham and NHANES data [81,82]. As for the positive effects on respiratory diseases shown by vitamin D supplementation, also for cardiovascular disease positive effect was reported only if there was a vitamin D-deficit before supplementation.
- Fig. 3. Ang II leads to a series of pro-inflammatory stimuli in the immune system via the activation of AT1R. These include an increase in the expression of MCP-1 as well as the chemokine receptor CCR2, which lead to a massive infiltration of the endothelium with macrophages. The same applies to the activation, migration and maturation of dendritic cells (DC) and the antigen (Ag) presentation. The negative effect on T lymphocytes as well as on T regulatory cells further promotes a proinflammatory state. A number of other proinflammatory processes are triggered by AT1R and favor the development of inflammation, hypertension and diabetes. Vitamin D is considered to counteract this reaction by contributing to a normalization of immune function through a variety of processes. However, it should not be overlooked that most processes in the immune system initiated by vitamin D occur together with vitamin A 196.
In a large cohort of patients (n = 3296) referred to coronary angiography, a significant increase in plasma renin and angiotensin II was observed with decreased 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels, but not with circulating aldosterone levels [83]. Vitamin D plasma levels are an independent risk factor for CVD mortality. 92% of 1801 patients with metabolic syndrome, had a low vitamin D status (22.2% were severely deficient (25(OH)D < 25 nmol). CVD mortality and total mortality were reduced respectively by 69% and 75% in those with highest 25(OH)D levels (> 75nmol/L) [84].
CVD is considered an independent risk factor for fatal outcome in COVID-19 patients. The proportion of survivors with CVD was 10.8%, among non-survivors 20% [85]. Disturbed coagulation, endothelial dysfunction and proinflammatory stimuli described as a result of a viral infection are considered to be among the major causes [86].
Vitamin D, obesity and type II diabetes
Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) is often associated with low 25(OH)D plasma level [87,88]. Using a bi-directional genetic approach, 26 studies (42,024 participants - Caucasians from Northern Europe and America), including 12 SNPs, showed that higher BMI (Body Mass Index) leads to lower 25(OH)D plasma levels. The repeatedly discussed hypothesis that low 25(OH)D level leads to increased BMI could not be verified [89]. Obesity is therefore another risk factor for an insufficient vitamin D status independent from age [90].
Low 25(OH)D plasma values are also found in diabetes II [91,92]. This is often associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases [93,94]. One of the main causes could be insulin resistance, often found in connection with low vitamin D levels [95]. This is well documented by the evaluation of observational and intervention studies using metabolic indicators. 10 out of 14 intervention studies showed a positive effect of Vitamin D on metabolic indicators [96]. Vitamin D deficiency is therefore also considered to be a potential link between obesity and diabetes type II [97].
Via a short-loop feedback Ang II inhibits the further release of renin via AT1R.
If the renin secretion is not sufficiently inhibited, an overreaction of the RAS can lead to a further increase in blood pressure, increased sodium reabsorption, increased aldosterone secretion and thus increased insulin resistance [98]. This overreaction is considered to be a major cause of the development of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, especially in people with high BMI, since adipose tissue contributes to an overreaction of the RAS [99]. Adiponectin synthesis in adipocytes counteracts most of these effects, however circulating levels are inversely related to BMI [100,101]. Vitamin D can regulate the formation and release of adiponectin [102,103]. Obese people often have low adiponectin and vitamin D levels and an inverse relationship between fat mass and vitamin D levels has been described [104]. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency might explain RAS overreaction and following consequences [105].
In a small study on 124 IUC patients with SARS-CoV-2 it was found that obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2) occurred in 47.6% of the cases and severe obesity (BMI > 35kg/m2) in 28.2% [106]. In the latter case, 85.7% had to be mechanically ventilated invasively, 60 patients (50%) had hypertension, 48 of these (80%) had to be ventilated invasively. A study from Shenzhen, China also confirmed that obesity is a risk factor for severe course of disease. In a cohort of 383 patients with COVID-19, overweight patients (BMI 24-27.9) had 86% higher risk of developing pneumonia and obese patients (BMI > 28) had 142% higher risk of developing pneumonia compared to normal weight patients [107].
Vitamin D and ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
The main cause of death in COVID-19 patients is ARDS. Patients (without COVID-19) (mean age 62 Y) with ARDS (n:52) and those at high risk of ARDS (n:57) (esophagectomy) had low (27.6 nmol/L) to very low (13.7nmol/L) 25(OH)D blood levels as a sign for severe vitamin D deficiency [108].
ACE2 exerts a counter-regulation of the harmful effect of ACE. Ultimately, it would then be the balance between ACE and ACE2 that explains the reaction of the RAS. The ACE2 effect on the RAS is shown in experimental studies in which ACE2 knock out mice developed severe lung disease with increased vascular permeability and pulmonary edema [109]. Over-expression or the use of recombinant ACE2 improves blood flow and oxygenation and inhibits the development of ARDS after LPS-induced lung damage [110,111].
The development of ARDS shows typical changes in membrane permeability of the alveolar capillary, progressive edema, severe arterial hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension [112]. The same changes can be achieved in animal experiments by injection of lipo- polysaccharides (LPS) [113]. Vitamin D significantly attenuates the lung damage caused by LPS. LPS exposure leads to a significant increase in the pulmonary expression of renin and ANGII. This promotes the pro- inflammatory effects of the conversion of AngII via AT1R and suppresses ACE2 expression. The administration of vitamin D was able to reduce the increased renin and AngII expression and thus significantly lower the lung damage. The authors conclude that this may have been due to the reduction of the renin and ACE/AngII/AT1R cascade and the promotion of ACE2/Ang1-7 activity by vitamin D through its influence on renin synthesis.
Increased ACE and ANGII expression and reduced ACE2/Ang1-7 expression in lung tissue favors lung damage induced by ischemia reperfusion in mice [114]. The ACE/Ang1-7 expression and the amount of circulating Ang 1 -7 was increased at the onset of ischemia and then decreased rapidly in contrast to the tissue concentration, while AngII increased. This suggests a dysregulation of local and systemic RAS. The application of recombinant ACE2 was able to correct the dysregulation and attenuate the lung damage, while ACE2 knock out increased the imbalance and was associated with more severe damage. Inhibition of the ACE/AngII/AT1R pathway or activation of the ACE2/Ang1-7 pathway have therefore been proposed as therapeutic options.
In rats with LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), the administration of vitamin D (calcitriol) was associated with a significant reduction in clinical symptoms of ALI. Calcitriol treatment led to a significant increase in the expression of VDR mRNA and ACE2 mRNA. VDR expression may have resulted in a reduction of angiotensin II, ACE2 expression in increased anti-inflammatory effects [115].
VDR is not only a negative regulator of renin, but also of NFkB [116], leading both to an increase in Ang II formation [117], which in turn promotes pro-inflammatory cascades. Furthermore SARS-CoV-2 infects T-lymphocytes [118] and the Covid-19 disease severity seems to be related to lymphopenia [119], which occurs in 83,2% of COVID-19 patients at hospital admission [120]. Indeed, in a recent meta-analysis on 53.000 COVID-19 patients decreased lymphocyte count and increased CRP were highly associated with severity [121].
Regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in the development of ARDS [122]. They can attenuate the pro-inflammatory effects of the activated immune system. Vitamin D increases the expression of Treg cells and supplementation of healthy volunteers results in a significant increase in Tregs [123]. Vitamin D causes a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting B- and T-cell proliferation [124,125]. Inflammatory processes also play an important role in the development of hypertension and CVD [126,127]. Here, an interesting but so far not proven connection between vitamin D and RAS is found. T-cells have a RAS system, which contributes to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the development of high blood pressure through the formation of Ang II [128]. To what extent vitamin D in T cells is also a negative regulator of renin is not known, but could be one of the reasons for the anti-inflammatory effect [129].
Cytokine storm: Vitamin D, SARS-CoV-2, and ACE2
In patients with a severe disease course (ARDS) a cytokine storm is assumed to be the underlying cause [130]. SARS CoV-2 can lead to a downregulation of ACE2 in the lungs and to a shedding of the ectodo- main of ACE2. This soluble sACE2 shows enzymatic activity, but the biological role is unclear. The soluble form is believed to exert systemic influence on angiotensin II [131]; since SARS-CoV-2 induces shedding, it is assumed that sACE2 is directly related to the virus- induced inflammatory response [132].
Downregulation of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV infection is associated with acute lung damage (edema, increased vascular permeability, reduced lung function) [ 133] and with RAS dysregulation leading to increased inflammation and vascular permeability. Inflammatory cytokines such as TACE (TNF-a-converting enzyme) induce increase shedding [134], which in turn can be also caused by spike protein of the virus, promoting virus uptake by ACE2 [135]. Comparative studies on mortality rates in different countries and analysis of the relationship between vitamin D and CRP (as a marker of cytokine storm) plasma levels, concluded that.
risk factors for severity of the clinical course, predicted by high CRP and low vitamin D (<25 nmol) levels, were reduced by by 15.6% following vitamin D status normalization (>75nmol) [136]. It is interesting to note that calmodulin kinase IV (CaMK IV) stimulates vitamin D receptor (VDR) transcription and interaction with co-activator SRC (steroid receptor coactivator) [ 137]. According to the authors, this would explain the linkage of the genomic and non-genomic membrane pathways of vitamin D. The calmodulin binding domain at ACE2 [138] may explain why calmodulin inhibits the shedding of the ectodomain of ACE2 [139]. It is also conceivable that vitamin D may show significant effects either by stimulating VDR-mediated transcription, or by mediating 1,25(OH)D calcium-dependent activity through CaMK II and phospholipase A [140].
Kawasaki syndrome
Children and adolescents rarely show severe disease courses. A meta-analysis comprising 18 studies with 444 children under 10years of age and 553 between 10 and 19years of age, reported only one case of severe complication in a 13-year-old child. In North America, 48 cases of children (4.2-16.6 yrs) have been described with severe disease course. Independently of this, COVID-19 children have a clinical picture that has not been associated with usual acute clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, showing an unusually high proportion of children with gastrointestinal involvement, Kawasaki disease (KD) like syndrome, until now [141].
KD is an acute vasculitis which can lead to aneurysms of the coronary arteries and is considered the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children [142]. A number of cases have been observed in recent weeks suggesting a relationship between Kawasaki syndrome and COVID-19 [143].
One reason probably relies upon ACE gene polymorphisms [144]. In these polymorphisms there is a strong increase in ACE without affecting AngII plasma levels [145]. There is a direct relationship between ACE polymorphism (with high ACE plasma levels) and the occurrence ofKD, according to a recent meta-analysis [146].
Irrespective of this, the disease occurs seasonally during the winter months in extratropical northern atmosphere and is often associated to respiratory tract infections [147]. A KD associated Antigen was found in proximal bronchial epithelium in 10 out of 13 patients with acute KD and in a subset of macrophages of inflamed tissues [148]. That strengthens the hypothesis that an infectious agent entering the respiratory tract, might be the cause of KD. Indeed, it was reported that children with KD were affected by respiratory diseases with HCoV: New Haven coronavirus [149]. The authors concluded that there was a significant association between KD and HCoV-NH infection.
Just like current evidence suggest that vitamin D-deficiency is associated with increased risk of CVD, including hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease, patients with KD also show very low vitamin D levels. Children with KD (79) had significantly lower 25(OH) D levels (9.17 vs 23.3ng/ml) compared to healthy children of the same age [150].
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has become the standard therapy for KD [151], with a good therapeutic response from young patients, of which only 10-20% need additional anti-inflammatory medication [152]. In a study on 91 KD children, 39 of them with very low plasma vitamin D levels (< 20 ng/ml), showed immunoglobulin resistance compared to the rest of the children (n = 52) children with higher levels (> 20ng/ml) [153]. Children with immunoglobulin resistance also have a higher incidence of coronary artery complications [154,155].
The relationship between ACE polymorphism and peripheral vascular disease is observed in Asians but not in Caucasians [156,157]. Furthermore the prevalence of KD in Japan (240/100,000) is 10 times higher than in North America (20/100,000) [158,159]. During February and April 2020, 10 cases of COVID-19 and KD were reported in Bergamo, Italy, corresponding to 30 times higher rate than the last 5 years incidence [160]. The higher incidence of KD in Asian children (35.3 cases/100,000) as reported in California, may indeed indicate a more frequent ACE polymorphism in Asian population, followed by African-Americans (24.6/100,000) probably due to the fact that pigmentation reduces vitamin D production in the skin [161] compared to white children (14.7/100.000). From 189 children hospitalized between 1991 and 1998 136 (72%) of the children were African-American and 43 (23%) were white [162]. It is conceivable that Vitamin D deficiency which activates the RAS, promotes the development and course of KD.
Therapeutic aspects
Vitamin D status
The aim of a therapy with vitamin D should be a normalization of the vitamin D status, preferably > 75 nmol/L. Basically, it can be assumed that a vitamin in physiological doses can do little more than remedy the symptoms or secondary manifestations of a deficiency. Vitamin D is a prohormone. Therefore, the question of correcting the status should be treated in the same way as for other hormones (e.g. thyroid hormone). Before starting therapy, the plasma level should be determined. This allows a dosage and therapy to be initiated that corresponds to the respective status. The analysis should be carried out especially in risk groups (Table 1) in order to be able to react adequately, especially in acute cases. The general recommendation to supplement with a recommended daily dose (800 IU) may apply to people who do not belong to a risk group, are healthy.
The vitamin D status is the basis for treatment with vitamin D. There are indeed, risk groups were a poor status can be expected.
As it is known that the amount of 25(OH)D circulating in the blood and less the active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D is a better indicator for a deficit, threshold values have been set here (Table 2).
Severe < 12.5 nmol/L < 5 ng/ml
Moderate 12.5-29 nmol/L 5-11.6 ng/ml
Mild 30.0-49 nmol/L 12-19.6 ng/ml
Sufficient > 50 nmol/L > 20ng/ml165
> 75 nmol/L > 30ng/ml166
Toxicity > 250 nmol/L > 100ng/ml
Table 2: Threshold levels to calculate deficiency ranges (25(OH)D)
A vitamin D status below 20 ng/ml or<50 nmol/L should be treated to achieve a minimum level of 30 ng/ml (75 nmol/L). Values around 75 nmol/L are considered optimal, with respect to the skeletal activities [167]. Particularly in countries where vitamin D fortified foods are not available, the importance of an adequate supply should be emphasized. A sufficient vitamin D status can be achieved in the healthy populations following the recommendations and the thresholds of the plasma levels. In case of comorbidities related to the clinical development of COVID-19 there might be a higher need and therefore it is discussed to choose other recommendations for the adequate care of persons with chronic diseases [168,169].
The recommendations of the National Health Service UK are based on those of various professional associations. It should be noted that vitamin D therapy is contraindicated for patients with hypercalcemia or metastatic calcification. Suggested therapy should be used when low plasma levels and the following symptoms are present:
muscle pain
Proximal muscle weakness
Rib, hip, pelvis, thigh and foot pain (typical)
Fractures.
Table 1
Risk factors for deficiency (NHS) [163].
Inadequate skin synthesis
Poor oral supply
Co-Morbidities
Air pollution
Vegetarian or fish
Reduced synthesis
Northern latitude/Winter
Free diet
Increased breakdown
Occlusive garments
Malabsorption
Drugs: rifampicin, HAART-
Pigmented skin
Short bowel
Therapy, ketoconazole
Habitual sunscreen use
Cholestatic jaundice
Anticonvulsants
Institutionalized/housebound and people with poor mobility
Pancreatitis
Glucocorticoids
Age > 65
Celiac disease
CKD (eGFR < 60) [164]
So far, there is no experience on the use of vitamin D in COVID-19. The observation that a normal vitamin D status is important for the immune system as well as for the regulation of the RAS should, however, lead to a correction of the Vitamin D status if a deficiency is detected. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that high doses of
vitamin D also carry risks, as they can contribute to changes in VDR competence and thus have an inhibitory effect on immune function (Ref: Mangin M, Sinha R, Fincher K. Inflammation and vitamin D: the infection connection. Inflkamm Res 2014; 63: 803-811)
The importance of a vitamin D deficiency is shown by a recently published analysis of the COVID-19 deaths of 780 COVID-19 patients in Indonesia [173].
table 3 data of patients with COVID-19 related to vitamin D levels and disease outcome
Vitamin D: | < 20ng/ml | 20-30 ng/ml | > 30 ng/ml |
Overall, N | 179 | 213 | 388 |
Mean age | 66.9±13.8 | 62.9 ± 14.7 | 46.6±12.6 |
Comorbidity, % | 80.0 | 73.8 | 18.8 |
Death, % | 98.9 | 87.8 | 4.1 |
Active, % | 1.1 | 12.2 | 95.9 |
Odds ratio Adjusted for age, sex and comorbidity | 10.12 (p < .001) | 7.63(p < .001) |
The table illustrates that old age, comorbidities and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency contributed to outcome of the disease.
Based on these data Vitamin D plasma level is an independent predictor of mortality.
VDR agonists (VDRA)
VDRA are discussed to counteract the effect of imbalanced immune response and have suppressant effects on the RAS. Since VDRA have been observed to contribute to a significant reduction of inflammatory processes, they are increasingly used in immunosuppressive therapy to control TH1-related overreactions via interaction of VDRA with the chemokine CXCL10, a T cell chemoattractant chemokine [174]. The induction of CXCL10 is an important step against bacterial and virus infections. However, sustained CXCL10 induction leads to amplified neuroinflammation in Coronavirus (JHMV) induced neurologic infection [175]. CXCL10 is also considered a critical factor in ARDS. H5N1 influenza infection in mice resulted in increased CXCL10 secretion with a consequent inflamed neutrophils massive chemotaxis and a subsequent pulmonary inflammation [176]. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, CXCL10 and other chemo- and cytokines are upregulated [177]. Anti CXCL10 antibodies have shown ARDS improvement following LPS induced lung injury with high CXCL10 levels [178].
Additionally evidence from animal models (diabetic nephropathy) has shown that VDRA block TGFft system in the glomerulus and thus abolish interstitial fibrosis [179]. It is assumed that VDRA modulates increased RAS activity. Indeed, a clinical study on 281 patients (type II diabetes with albuminuria) revealed that VDR activator paricalcitol (19-nor-1,15-dihydroxyvitamin D2) led to a significant albuminuria reduction as well as a decrease in blood pressure despite increased salt intake, as a sign of decreased RAS activity [180]; effect that could not be achieved with losartan (ANG II receptor antagonist) [181].
Morphine
Morphine medication is an essential part of treatment for COVID patients with severe ARDS. it is used early for dyspnea or pain and for shivers [182]. Morphine, at doses similar to those used in humans, can lead to downregulation of VDR in human T cells and activation of RAS with renin upregulation and a threefold increase in Ang II production, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for DNA damage and T cells apoptosis .
VDR agonist (EB1089) inhibits VDR downregulation, leading to RAS decreased activity, inhibition of morphine induced ANG II production, reduced ROS formation and lower DNA damage, thus inhibiting T-cell apoptosis [183]. In addition, if Jurkat cells were pretreated with EB 1089 and Losartan, an Angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) before incubation with morphine. The combination of the Vitamin D Receptor agonist and Losartan attenuated the morphine-induced ROS formation. Indeed, as an example ARB increase ACE2 expression [184] and Ang 1-7/Mas axis activation reduced ROS formation [185].
Autophagy, spermidine and vitamin D
Spermidine is a metabolite of polyamines which are delivered through the diet and partially metabolized by colon bacteria from undigested proteins. Polyamines can influence macrophages development into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory type by altering cellular metabolism and triggering mito- and autophagy [186]. The capacity of spermidine to ensure proteostasis through the stimulation of the cyto- protective autophagy is acknowledged as one of its main features.
Recently, the effect of spermidine on autophagy in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells which results in inhibition of autophagy has been described [187]. Since spermidine promotes autophagy, spermidine and other agents may be a therapeutic approach to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
With regard to the specific risk of elderly to develop severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is interesting to note that spermidine concentrations in organs and cells decline with age and resulting in a decrease of autophagy [188]. Consumption of LKM512 yogurt increases spermidine synthesis in the gut in elderly [189]. Whether that has any impact on supply of spermidine to enterocytes or other tissues remains to be elucidated. Spermin and spermidine but not putrescine another polyamine metabolite can activate VDR in vitro within their physiological intracellular concentrations [190]. Vitamin D and VDR play an important role in autophagy. Vitamin D can induce autophagy similar to spermidine by inhibiting mTORC1 complex activation [191] and by increasing Beclin-1 expression, similar to spermidine [192].
Limitations
A major limitation of al studies dealing with low levels of vitamin D and disease is the fact that there are only few studies, which show a causal relationship. Most studies show associations and data regarding the influence of COVID-19 on vitamin D status are missing. Furthermore, it should not be overlooked that many of the effects of vitamin D on genexpression in the immune system occur together with vitamin A. The effect of vitamin A deficiency in COVID-19 has not yet been investigated. However, vitamin A deficiency or combined deficiencies with vitamin D or other micronutrients exists not only in low income countries. .
Conclusion
An inadequate supply of vitamin D has a variety of skeletal and non- skeletal effects. There is ample evidence that various non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, CVD, metabolic syndrome) are associated with low vitamin D plasma levels. These comorbidities, together with the often concomitant vitamin D deficiency, increase the risk of severe COVID-19 events. Much more attention should be paid to the importance of vitamin D status for the development and course of the disease. Particularly in the methods used to control the pandemic (lockdown), the skin’s natural vitamin D synthesis is reduced when people have few opportunities to be exposed to the sun. The short half lives of the vitamin therefore make an increasing vitamin D deficiency more likely. Specific dietary advice, moderate supplementation or fortified foods can help prevent this deficiency. In the event of hospitalisation, the status should be urgently reviewed and, if possible, improved.
In the meantime, 8 studies have started to test the effect of supplementing vitamin D in different dosages (up to 200,000 IU) on the course of the COVID-19 disease. The aim is to clarify whether supplementation with vitamin D in different dosages has an influence on the course of the disease or, in particular, on the immune response, or whether it can prevent the development of ARDS or thromboses [193].
Declaration of Competing Interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgement: The author is grateful to the Society of Nutrition and Food Science e.V. (www.snfs.org) for defraying the open access publication charges for this article. My sincere thanks to Hellas Cena, University Pavia, Italy, for the critical reading of my manuscript and the excellent hints for strengthening the information contained therein. Ute Gola, Institute for nutrition and prevention, Berlin, Germany for valuable suggestions and advice.
References in PDF
COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos - VitaminDWiki
As of Augest 11, 2022, the VitaminDWiki page had: 34 trials, 11 trial results, 37 meta-analyses and reviews, 69 observations, 38 recommendations, 55 associations, 89 speculations, 58 videos, 45 Mortality studies see related: Governments, HealthProblems, Hospitals, Dark Skins, 26 risk factors are ALL associated with low Vit D, Recent Virus pages Fight COVID-19 with 50K Vit D weekly Vaccines Take lots of Vitamin D at first signs of COVID 116 COVID Clinical Trials using Vitamin D (08/2022)
5 most-recently changed Virus entries
Top Vitamin D and COVID-19 recent
- Vitamin D can provide HEALTH immunity to fight the Corona virus this fall - Aug 2022
- Super-immune do not get COVID symptoms (perhaps Vitamin D) - Aug 2022
- COVID children helped by Vitamin D, trial terminated: unethical to not give Vitamin D to all: – RCT July 2022
- Current Compherensive Approach to COVID-19 (293 pages) - July 2022
- Some countries give treatment kits containing vitamin D if test positive for COVID) - July 2022
- Elderly who had been in COVID ICU were 4X more likely to die if low vitamin D – Nov 2022
- ‘Pandemic of the Boosted’: UK Data Reveal Problem With COVID Vaccinations - July 2022
- Pandemic Vitamin D levels dropped by 3.3 ng (perhaps less D, more health problems) – May 2022
- Long-COVID is now the biggest COVID concern (there are solutions) – July 2022
- Severe COVID 2.6 X less likely if supplement with Vitamin D – 26th meta-analysis - July 2022
- Calcifediol is in the title of 7 virus pages as of June 2022
- Some COVID hospitalizations are due to poor Vitamin D genes (Binding Protein in this commentary) – June 2022
- COVID, Cancer, etc. are Vitamin D low-hanging-fruit – Editorial June 2022
- COVID deaths are often of fully vaccinated in fully vaccinated countries – June 2022
- Both Omicron and Monkeypox show evidence of mutation by the human immune system – June 2022
- Treat COVID early with high-dose Vitamin D (20th as of June 2022)
- Vitamin D might mitigate endemic COVID - June 2022
- Vitamin D also provides COVID Neuroprotection – April 2022
- 89% are vaccinated, but Omicron BA.5 is surging (Portugal) June 2022
- COVID hospital deaths reduced 2X by 8 days of UVB – pilot RCT May 2022
- Surviving COVID with vitamins and minerals is not a myth – June 2022
- Vitamin D is the only one which: 1) Can be done at home, 2) Needs only a single dose
- 400,000 IU of vitamin D 3 days after COVID symptoms reduced 14 day mortality by 3X – Annweiler RCT May 2022
- Patients hospitalized with COVID not helped by 500,000 IU of Vitamin D – RCT – May 2022
- Suspect that they did not get the Vitamin D until 1 week after getting symptoms
- both groups had adequate vitamin D levels upon entering hospital
- COVID-19 Is Treatable and Preventable With Vitamin D: Dr. Malone - May 24, 2022
- Less COVID if more vitamin D from food (Spain) – May 2022
- You Are Going to Get COVID Again … and Again … and Again once every 3 years
- Unless you take Vitamin D
- Omicron BA.2.12.1 - US dominate form,100,000 cases daily - May 24, 2022
- Problems after childhood vaccinations - many studies - perhaps fewer problems if more Vitamin D
- Loading dose of Vitamin D for patients hospitalized with COVID (140,000 IU) – RCT completed 2021
- COVID Ventilation 2X less likely if 200,000 IU of Vitamin D when enter hospital – May 2022
- COVID in seniors 5X less likely to be severe if vegetarian (small study) – April 2022
- Inhaling Nitric Oxide 4 times a day (which increases Vitamin D) fights COVID - May 2022
- Forecast of 100 million more US COVID infections in fall and winter - May 2022
- Vitamin D, Immune function, and SARS-CoV2 – May 2022
- COVID death 5.2X more likely if Vitamin D deficient – May 2022
- Severe COVID while pregnant - none had taken any vitamin D – Oct 2021
- Risk factors for severe COVID in children are all related to low vitamin D (same as adults) - April 2022
- Innate immune suppression by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations - April 2022
- Dr. McCullough is one of the authors, in-depth look at VARS 2021 data
- COVID death 6.9X less likely if high Magnesium to Calcium ratio – April 2022
- 13 Magnesium and COVID studies in VitaminDWiki
- 21 fewer days in hospital with ARDS (COVID) if 10,000 IU of Vitamin D daily after enter hospital – RCT April, 2022
- Speculation: "No hospitalization if had gotten high dose vitamin D at COVID symptom onset"
- 4X less likely to get COVID following 4,000 IU daily for a month – RCT April 2022
- COVID and CVD deadly pandemics share a risk factor: low vitamin D - April 2022
- 29 X more likely to die of COVID if less than 20 ng of Vitamin D - March 2022
- 2.9 X less risk of COVID ICU if seniors had supplemented with Vitamin D (any amount) – April 2022
- Data from Spring of 2020. Wonder why the 2 year delay
- Micronutrients such as vitamin D should improve vaccine effectiveness (and decrease side effects) – April 2022
- High altitudes reduce the COVID-19 infection (not a surprise) – April 2022
- Obesity, Hypovitaminosis D, and COVID-19 – April 2022
- COVID while pregnant: 2.6 X more likely to be Vitamin D deficient (need to supplement) - March 2022
- Pfizer vaccine produced 30 percent more antibodies if more vitamin D – July 2022
- COVID-XE variant can probably be fought by strong immune systems (Vitamin D, etc.) - April 2022
- COVID Long-Haul at 49 weeks: overactive immune system, type O blood - March 2022
- CDC and UK data reveal the COVID vaccines do not prevent cases, transmission, severe illness or deaths - April 3, 2022
- Children have less severe COVID, but just as much long-haul as adults - April 2022
- COVID-XE variant can probably be fought by strong immune systems (Vitamin D, etc.) - April 2022
- COVID breakthru 2X more likely if pregnant (should take Vitamin D) - April 2022
- COVID, like influenza, may be able to mutate to avoid vaccines for decades - March 2022
- Increase in COVID Omicron deaths among vaccinated (CA this time) - March 2022
- Risk of COVID not reduced by 3,200 IU of vitamin D for 6 months (no surprise) – RCT March 2022
- COVID length of stay: the best predictor was Vitamin D (of 70 parameters) – March 2022
- Review of Early Treatments of COVID-19 (within a few days of symptoms)
- Omicron-1 survives on surfaces 3X longer than original - March 18, 2022
- Compare symptoms of Omicron, Flu and Colds Vitamin D fights all of them
- Immune system both activates and uses vitamin D (in brain, fight COVID, etc.) - March 2022
- COVID length of stay: The best predictor was Vitamin D (of 70 parameters) – March 2022
- COVID: most places are dropping restrictions, some are surging, and a few are both - March 15, 2022
- Giving Vitamin D often reduced COVID Mortality– Review of 11 studies – March 2022
- 18 million excess global deaths in past 2 years: COVID plus collateral damage - Lancet March 2022
- decreased Vitamin D due to lock-up is one of the possible causes
- Vitamin D of 30-40 ng fights COVID, Dr. Grimes on Liverpool Study - March 2022
- Vitamin D separately helps X or COVID, should help X with COVID (example: diabetes) – March 2022
- Recall: 26 health problems associated with increased COVID risk, ALL are assoicated with low vitamin D
- COVID can be fought by healthy immune systems (vitamins, etc.) - Feb 2022
- Note elsewhere: Vitamin D improved immune system so much that half did not even test positive 24th meta-analysis
- Vitamin D helps both the innate and adaptive immune systems fight COVID-19 – Jan 2022
- Only a single supplement taken before infection decreased COVID severity (vitamin D) – Feb 2022
- COVID children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome have less than 10 ng of vitamin D – March 2022
- Vitamin D supplementation reduced risk of COVID-19 ICU by 2.8 X – review of 10 reviews Feb 2022
- COVID vaccination makes 6X more antibodies in those having good levels of both vitamin D and Iron – June 2021
- VitaminDWiki interview and transcript - Jan 2022 143 minute - includes a section on early treatments for COVID
- 14 X less likely to have severe COVID if previously had more than 40 ng level of Vitamin D – Feb 2022
- How vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F (Omega), K fight COVID - Feb 2022
- Estrogen supplements may cut COVID-19 deaths by half (no surprise - more E, more Vitamin D) - Feb 2022
- Group achieving 30 ng (vs 26 ng) were 2X less likely to get COVID symptoms - RCT Jan 2022
- Vitamin D helps both the innate and adaptive immune systems fight COVID-19 – Jan 2022
- COVID test positive is about half as likely if have Vitamin D – 24th meta-analysis - Jan 2022
- FLCCC COVID guidelines now include vitamin D loading doses - Jan 2022
- Vitamin D and its’ role in Parkinson’s disease patients with COVID - Jan 2022
- COVID death rate was 3X lower in those with Multiple Sclerosis (85 pcnt were taking Vitamin D) - Jan 2022
- Vitamin D fights COVID (54 studies of 1,400,000 people) – 23rd meta-analysis - Dec 2021
- Vitamin D benefits ignored at a time they are most needed - Grant Jan 9, 2022
- Increase in non-COVID deaths (ages 18-64) in Indiana, India, etc. - Jan 5, 2022
- Vitamin D and COVID-19: a narrative review - Holick - Jan 4, 2022
- Two times less likely to test positive for COVID if vitamin D level more than 55ng, etc. – Dec 31, 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID - Davies, Benskin (Dark Horse video with transcript) - Dec 27, 2021
- Ivermectin taken before COVID decreased death rate by 68 percent (3,000 with Ivermectin vs 3,000 without) - Dec 24, 2021
- The Vitamin D Receptor is associated with many health problems perhaps SARS-COV-2 as well
- Dr. McCullough on COVID-19: vaccine problems, home treatment – video, transcript – Dec 13, 2021
- Far fewer vaccination antibodies against Omicron - Dec 14, 2021
- Did HIV help Omicron evolve - Dec 10, 2021
- COVID-19 death increased 2X if low Vitamin D (less than 10 to less than 30 ng) – 21st meta-analysis Dec 2021
- Most COVID patients had sticky blood platelets (Omega-3 helps) - Dec 2021
- 16,000 Physicians and Scientists Agree Kids Shouldn’t Get COVID Vaccine - Dec 15, 2021
- Florida A.G. recommends Vitamin D, Zinc, Quercetin, etc. to reduce risk of COVID - Dec 12, 2021
- Vitamin D and a Dr. in Israel - Campbell video and transcript - Dec 11, 2021
- Epstein-Barr Virus may cause Long-Haul, CFS, and MS (Vitamin D should help)
- Pfizer knew of 290 kinds of COVID vaccine problems
- Vaccinated have HIGHER infection rates than unvaxxed (UK age 30-70) - Dec 9, 2021
- Rapid Vitamin D Delivery May Result in Better COVID Outcomes - Dec 9, 2021
- 11,321 Breakthru COVID cases in Massachusetts last week (fully vaccinated) - Dec 7, 2021
- COVID vaccines produce blood antibodies, not the needed mucosal antibodies - Dec 7, 2021
- also has several Vitamin D & COVID videos
- Coronaviruses evolve faster with vaccinations, expect more beyond Omicron - Nov 30, 2021
- Omega-3 decreases heart disease and COVID: Harris and Patrick, video and transcript - Dec 2021
- COVID is also associated with low Vitamin K - many studies
- Compulsory COVID Interventions do not work (400 studies - GreenMed Info) Dec 1, 2021
- Vitamin D loading doses quickly and safely raise levels – meta-analysis Dec 2021
- Real Anthony Fauci - book synopsis by Masterjohn Dec 3, 2021
- Large dose of calcifediol or vitamin D up to 15 days before COVID hospitalization reduced death rates (1.5X, 1.3X) – Dec 2021
- COVID-19 infection risk 2X higher in vaccinated than previously infected (28,000 in Netherlands) – preprint Nov 24, 2021
- Higher COVID death rates in more obese counties - Dec 2021
- COVID Virus kept mutating for 154 days in an immunocompromised person – Dec 2020
- COVID-19 risk reduction by Vitamin D, etc. - Grassroots Health Nov 29, 2021
- Vitamin D appears to drop while fighting COVID but recover later – Nov 2021
- How obesity reduces the ability of vitamin D to fight health problems such as COVID - Nov 2021
- Vaccinated were 28 percent of cases, 23 percent of deaths (waning)- CDC Sept 2021
- 11 percent fewer COVID-19 deaths if lockdowns had allowed sunshine – Nov 2021
- Long-Haul COVID is somewhat less of a problem if vaccinated – Nov 2021
- Elderly vaccinated for COVID were 2X more likely to die of ischemic stroke (2930 vs 1180 deaths)– Nov 2021
- Younger are much less likely to die of COVID than elderly (posters) - Nov 2021
- 3.3 X more likely to die if infected with SARS-Cov-2 plus a second pathogen – meta-analysis May 2021
- Pfizer trial vaccinated 22,000: 1 COVID death prevented, but 4 died of heart attacks - Nov 2021
- Problems with vaccine use during a pandemic - Dr. Bossche 2021, 2022
- 3,900 deaths within 2 weeks of 2nd vaccination in Sweden - Nov 18, 2021
- Discussion of COVID and 50 ng of Vitamin D (video and transcript)– Dr. Campbell Nov 17, 2021
- Vaccine definition by the CDC seems to now include Vitamin D - Sept 2021
- US is buying 5 billion dollars of Pfizer COVID pills (10 million dollars of Vitamin D might do as well) - Nov 2021
- Vaccination immunity is waning - Fauci - Nov 14, 2021
- Low Vitamin D etc. more than 3 months after COVID hospitalization – Sept 2021
- Bill Gates admits COVID-19 vaccines don't stop viral transmission - Nov 5, 2021
- COVID, influenza, hepatitis B, measles, etc. vaccine responses vary with Vitamin D and its receptor
- 2X more male teens died than normal in England this summer (perhaps vaccination) - Oct 2021
- Vaccine passports expire in 6 months in Israel, but not (yet) in the US - Oct 2021
- COVID probably fought by Vitamin D, might need 50 ng - Dr. Patrick Nov 8, 2021
- COVID-19 risk reduced by vitamin D supplementation – umbrella review of 7 meta-analysis – Oct 2021
- Perhaps 3X more likely to catch COVID-19 in a group (church) in Nov 2021 than Nov 2020
- Vaccination effectiveness dropped from 83 percent to ZERO after 9 months (Sweden, preprint) – Oct 2021
- COVID natural Immunity is most likely better than vaccination immunity- literature review by Masterjohn - Oct 2021
- COVID winter is coming again in Northern US, Canada, Europe, Russia - Nov 2021
- French recommended 200,000 IU of Vitamin D to stop COVID-19 - Jan 2021
- COVID-19 severity associated with 3 vitamin D genes – Oct 2021
- Vitamin D was the only supplement that fought COVID-19 (out of 6) – Oct 2021
- Colin Powell died of COVID-19 (he had 4 risk factors for low vitamin D) – Oct 18, 2021
- https://vdmeta.com/
- COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D (example: ICU reduced by 5X) – 20th meta-analysis Oct 13, 2021
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D (42 studies, consensus) – Oct 2021
- Vitamin D was a top COVID-19 treatment at 4 hospital groups - May 2021
~ 83,000 patients
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D - Wikipedia Oct 10, 2021
- COVID-19 risk reduction by early treatment: 5X Vitamin D – Oct 8, 2021
- Dr. McCullough on COVID-19: vaccine problems, home treatment – video, slides, transcript – Oct and Dec 2021
- COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities associated with the type of Vitamin D Receptor – Oct 2021
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D – expert consensus and guidelines (Annweiler, behind paywall) – Oct 2021
- Pfizer vaccine half as effective as Moderna after 6 months (fading or Delta) - Mayo preprint Aug 2021
- Severe COVID-19 2.5 X more likely if low vitamin D (23 studies) – 19th meta-analysis Oct 2021
- COVID-19 cases vs. vaccination (counties and countries) - Sept 2021
- 7 Symptoms predictive of COVID-19 (from 1,000,000 in UK) – Oct 2021
- Emergency treatments if get COVID-19 symptoms - Oct 2021
- COVID-19 mortality extrapolates to zero at 50 ng of vitamin D – 18th Meta-analysis Sept 2021
- COVID-19 patients getting 300,000 IU of Vitamin D were 5X less likely to die – Sept 2021
- COVID-19 patients had low levels of Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C – Sept 2021
- US COVID-19 deaths now exceed 1918 flu, soon AIDS (Vitamin D fights all 3) - Sept 19, 2021
- Predict 2X more likely to die of COVID-19 if vitamin D Deficient (Iran 2020) – Sept 2021
- COVID-19 appears reduced by Resveratrol plus 100K IU of vitamin D – Small RCT Sept 2021
- COVID-19 Vitamin D Clinical Trials - US Sept 15, 2021 36 trials
- Long-haul, VAERS, Ivermectin, vaccines, etc. Drs. Seheult, Patrick: Video with table of contents - Sept 17, 2021
- Vitamin D might augment COVID-19 vaccines – 6 papers as of Dec 2021
- COVID-19 risk reduced 4X by each of: Vitamin D, Omega-3, Curcumin, Zinc (each increases D in cells)
- COVID-19 risk reduction by early treatment: 5X Vitamin D – Oct 8, 2021
- Vitamin D and Health video with transcript - Dr. Grant Sept 2021
- Influence of Vitamin D on COVID-19 (Guidebook) - Benskin Sept 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID, review of evidence, loading dose if less than 50 ng - Masterjohn Sept 2021
- Higher vitamin D, less severe COVID and deaths in hospital (in Iran this time) – Sept 2021
- COVID-19 therapeutics and cytokine storms (vitamin D occurs 51 times) – Aug 2021
- Many Vitamin D metabolites: some help skin aging, reduce Cytokine storms, but are not tested – Aug 2021
- Fauci investing 3 billion dollars to develop a safe pill to fight virus (but we already have 3) – Aug 4, 2021
- US coalition of Black and Latino churches hope to reduce the 3X COVID-19 disparity - Aug 2021
- Less than 10 dollars of Vitamin D per COVID-19 life saved in Myanmar - Jan 2021
- Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines might be increased by Vitamin D – Aug 2021
- Various forms of Vitamin D should be able to fight COVID-19 (model) – Aug 2021
- Vaccinated and Unvaccinated are just as infectious after catching COVID-Delta (UK study) - Aug 2021
- In-home testing of viral load, etc. Dr. Topol interview with transcript – Aug 11, 2021
- Boosting Immunity with Vitamin D to reduce COVID-19 risks - Aug 2021
- A virus can mutate to avoid a vaccine, need more than vaccines to fight a virus – July 31, 2021
- COVID-19 mortality was associated with vitamin D deficiency of 47 countries – July 2021
- Severe COVID-19 5X more likely if low vitamin D (23 studies) – 16th meta-analysis July 2021
- Initial efficacy of vaccines against COVID-Delta - July 20, 2021
- Taking vitamin D (guess 600 IU avg) reduced US COVID-19 risk by 25 percent (more D would be better) – July 2021
- Many drugs, such as Vitamin D, decrease the risk of COVID-19 – July 2021
- Vaccine effectiveness may drop to only 16% in 6 months if time between jabs was only 3 weeks – July 2021
- Vitamin D known to fight 8 classes of health problems, probably fight COVID-19 as well – July 2021
- Vitamin D, C, A, and E, as well as Iron, Se, and Zinc each augment vaccine response – July 2021
- Vitamin D is one of 14 ways proven to treat COVID-19 – July 2021
- COVID-19 death 40 percent less likely if supplemented with Vitamin D and got above 30 ng (Spain 108,000 people) – July 2021
- Severe pediatric COVID 5.5 more likely if low vitamin D (review of 6 studies) -July 2021
- 5,000 U daily raised Vitamin D a bit and helped COVID-19 a bit – RCT June 2021
- Severe COVID-19 3.5 more likely if low vitamin D (30 studies) – meta-analysis July 2021
- 7X less likely to go to ICU if COVID-19 ward gave calcifediol (semi-activated Vitamin D) – July 2021
- Poor food, little intense exercise again associated with low Vitamin D (and more COVID-19 in this case) – July 2021
- If low vitamin D, 2.5X more likely enter hospital with COVID-19 (UK, 10 months) – June 17, 2021
- COVID-19 patients who had supplemented with Vitamin D were 3X less likely to enter ICU – June 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID-19 both affect immune cells – June 2021
- Pandemics are now every few years, next might be in 2025 (Vitamin D levels have crashed) – June 2021
- Higher rate of serious Vaccination problems than COVID-19 deaths – June 24, 2021
- COVID-19 5X worse if poor Vitamin D gene (CYP2R1) – June 2021
- 600,000 IU of Vitamin D helped 26 out of 28 COVID-19 patients in ICU (Brazil and Bolivia) June 2021
- 3 billion dollars being spent on developing a pill to treat pandemic viruses (ignoring Vitamin D)
- COVID-19 death in hospital 5X more likely if low vs high vitamin D – preprint June 2021
- COVID-19 and variants are here to stay (he fails to mention that vitamin D might help) - June 2021
- Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 complications – June 2021
- How Vitamin D, Magnesium, Omega-3 and Zinc prevent and treat COVID-19 and many other health problems – June 2021
- More than enough evidence on the Yellow Card system to declare the COVID-19 vaccines unsafe for use in humans. - June 9, 2021
- COVID-19 deaths 1.7X more likely if low vitamin D (even after “adjusting” for low D health problems) – May 2021
- Vitamin D has the most supporting science of all micronutrients to fight COVID-19 – May 2021
- COVID-19 fought by Vitamin D, how much more evidence is needed -May 2021
- COVID-21 (COVID-19 with mutations) causing increased pregnancy problems in Brazil and India – May 2021 Pregnancy
- COVID-19, dark skin, pregnancy - Dr. Grimes, etc. - May 2021 Pregnancy
- Increased pregnancy problems with COVID-19 – meta-analysis and letter to editor – April 2021 Pregnancy
- Vitamin D Receptor activation should reduce ARDS associated with COVID-19 - June 2020
- Half of COVID-19 death rate differences explained by rates of elderly influenza vaccination and low vitamin D – April 2021
- COVID-19 inflammation extinguished by 60,000 IU of vitamin D nanoemulsion daily for a week – RCT May 2021
- Treatments for 303,000 COVID-19 patients: vitamin D is both popular and over-the-counter – May 2021 Red = Vitamin D
- Dr. Fauci speculates on future use of masks in the winter (when vitamin D levels are low) May 2021
- Country reliant on tourism vaccinated, but now 1 in 1,000 get COVID-19 daily - May 2021
- Many supplements appear to fight COVID-19 – vitamin D cited 52 times – May 2021
- COVID-19 deaths 1.5X less likely if more than 40 ng of vitamin D – US VA – April 2021
- Growing consensus: COVID-19 symptoms are due to infected blood vessels - April 2021
- COVID-19 while pregnant increased many infant health problems by 1.5X – April 29, 2021 Pregnancy
- Multiple Sclerosis patients had fewer COVID-19 problems (Note: many MSers take Vitamin D) – April 30, 2021
- Problems with vaccine use during a pandemic - Dr. Bossche interview with transcript - April 22, 2021
- Vitamin D supplementation and high levels reduce COVID-19 deaths in elderly – Review April 17, 2021
- Co-Epidemic of Obesity and COVID-19 (a co-epidemic of Vitamin D not mentioned) – April 2021
- Vitamin D fights many health symptoms, including COVID-19: Dr. Mahtani video and transcript - April 2021
- COVID-19 vaccines look good in the short term, but probably not good for the long term
- COVID-19 while pregnant is not good (increased risk of dying by 22X) – April 2021 Pregnancy
- COVID-19 increased chance of death within 6 months by 1.6X, even if not hospitalized – April 2021
- Elderly nutrition and COVID-19 – systematic review July 2021
- Hospitalized children with COVID-19 and inflammation had lower vitamin D – March 2021
- Probablity of COVID-19 death increased 8X if had Periodionttitis
- COVID-19 risks reduced by Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, Resveratrol, Omega-3, etc. (auto-updated)
- Long-haul COVID-19 - another hint that Vitamin D should help - Dec 2020
- 6X less risk of COVID-19 ICU if Vitamin D and Vit B12 and Mg – Jan 2021
- Vitamin D supplementation and high levels reduce COVID-19 deaths in elderly – Review April 17, 2021
- Severe childhood COVID-19 associated with Vitamin D deficiency (hospital in Turkey) – March 2021
- Kidney patients who happened to be getting high-dose Calcitriol were 9X less likely to die of COVID-19 - April 6, 2021
- Overview of reviews of COVID-19 and vitamin D, etc. – April 2021
- Less COVID-19 infection, mortality in countries with higher Vitamin D (Asia in this case) – May 2021
- COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death in the US, especially in those with dark skins - April 1, 2021
- Children with COVID-19 and low levels of Vitamin D have more severe cases – March 31, 2021
- Risk of COVID-19 death was 4.9 X higher if very low vitamin D – March 31, 2021 17th mortality observation
- Diabetes has many bidirectional links with COVID-19 – March 2021
- Diabetes is one of the 26 health risks identified by the CDC for getting COVID-19 - ALL of which are associated with low vitamin D
- COVID-19 was 2.6X more severe if very low Vitamin D (43 studies) – meta-analysis March 26, 2021
- To protect against COVID-19, how much vitamin D – 20 to 50 ng – March 19, 2021
- COVID-19 mortality for Parkinson’s is 1 in 5, speculates that vitamin D could help - March 18, 2021
- Prefer 40 – 60 ng of Vitamin D to minimize COVID-19 – March 17, 2021
- The lower the Vitamin D, the worse the COVID-19 (600 in Turkey)– March 2021
- COVID-19 prognostic indicators in plasma extrapolate to zero if Vitamin D is 40 to 80 ng – March 2021
- COVID public health messages 1, 2, and 3 should be - vitamin d vitamin d, vitamin d (video and transcript) - Mar 5, 2021
- COVID-19 mortality 2X higher if low Vitamin D (Mexican hospital, preprint) - March 2021
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and long-haul COVID-19
- low vitamin D, autoimmune and cytokine storms may be involved on both
- 2.1 X more COVID-19 deaths in European countries with less than 20 ng of vitamin D – March 12, 2021
- Supporting non-standard but proven ways to fight COVID-19 can result in job loss – March 2021
- 3X less likely to die of COVID-19 if good level of vitamin D (seniors in Boston)– March 8, 2021
- Low Vitamin D associated with 2.7X more severe COVID-19 – 12th MA March 5, 2021
- COVID-19 fought by Vitamin D or Heat - Drs Seheult and Patrick video - March 3, 2021
- Vitamin D Deficiency and Covid-19: Book by Drs Anderson and Grimes - July 2020
- Vitamin D recommendations for COVID-19 – Spanish Geriatrics Society – March 2021
- 250,000 FREE bottles of vitamin D to fight COVID-19 by Dr. Murray at iHerb – March 3 2021 Dr. Oz show
- Vitamin D and COVID-19 webinar - Feb 24, 2021
- Mongolia's National Vitamin D3 Program started in 2019
- COVID-19 what it is, prevention by Functional Nutrition doctor - Feb 2021
- All COVID-19 in ICU had low vitamin D, no difference in outcome if low vs very low – Feb 2021
- Low-cost Ivermectin and Vitamin D fight COVID-19 – Marik video 1 hr – Feb 18, 2021
- Low vitamin D associated with COVID-19 problems in NYC hospitals – Feb 2021
- All COVID-19 patients had low vitamin D, the lowest were more likely to die – Feb 18, 2021
- Vitamin D not help 10 days after COVID-19 symptoms - RCT March 2021
- 5X less likely to enter ICU with COVID-19 if get Calcifediol (semi-activated vitamin D) - RCT Feb 19, 2021
- Ultra-Orthodox Jews have concealing clothing, high levels of COVID-19, and ultra low Vitamin D - Feb 2021
- c19study.com/d Summary of Vitamin D and COVID studies (the following is updated automatically)
- Vitamin D can prevent severe COVID-19 in Latin America too – review Feb 1, 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID-19: 1 hour simple video - Jan 31, 2021
- Higher vitamin D in a country is associated with fewer COVID-19 cases (in Asia) Feb 3, 2021 44th association
- Vitamin-D and COVID-19: time for the profession to take a stand – Jan 20, 2021
- Roll Call of Credible Experts Advocating Vitamin D for COVID-19 - Jan 26, 2021
- Call for immediate action - Fight COVID-19 with vitamin D (up to 4,000 IU) - Jan 28, 2021
- Vitamin D, Zinc, etc. look promising for COVID-19 (Holick) – Jan 25, 2021
- Heavy Smokers 2.2 X more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 (they typically have 10 ng less Vitamin D) Jan 25 FREE PDF
- Vitamin D plus Inositol might help pregnancies during COVID-19 – April 2021
- MATH plus protocol for COVID-19 includes Calcifediol or Vitamin D - Jan 2021
- Vitamin D supplementation fights COVID-19 – 11th meta-analysis Jan 24, 2021
- Vitamin D helps the immune system fight COVID-19 – video Jan 21, 2021
- COVID-19 2.7 X more likely to be severe if less than 8 ng of vitamin D (China) – Jan 2021
- 2.7 fewer COVID-19 hospital deaths in those having more than 30 ng of vitamin D – Mayo Jan 9, 2021
- Vitamin D Help Us Fight Infections - interview of Dr. Thakkar (transcript) Jan 20, 2021
- COVID-19 onset strongly associated with latitude in Europe (Vitamin D)– Jan 21, 2021
- France: 73 experts and 6 academies recommend vitamin D to prevent COVID-19 Jan 19, 2021
- Worse COVID-19 patients got 400,000 IU of vitamin D, deaths cut in half – Jan 14, 2021
- Vitamin D-COVID interview by Dr. Campbell of Davies (member of UK Parliament) - Jan 17, 2021
- Iranians with COVID-19 were 2.3 X more likely to die if low vitamin D – Jan 2021
- Many COVID-19 risks are associated with low vitamin D (7 studies) – Systematic Review Jan 2021
- 40 ng of Vitamin D to fight COVID 15K to 50K weekly or 100K monthly - Spanish Jan 2021
- Poor COVID-19 prognosis was 6 X more likely if low vitamin D – Jan 21, 2021
- Unraveling the roles of vitamin D status and melanin during COVID-19 (Review) Jan 11
- Less than 10 dollars of Vitamin D per COVID-19 life saved in Myanmar - Jan 2021
- 2.8 X fewer COVID-19 nursing home deaths if add 10,000 IU Vitamin D daily for a week (small observation)- Jan 2021
- 3.7 X less likely to die of COVID-19 if supplemented with Vitamin D - meta-analysis Jan 5, 2021
- COVID-19 test positive 4.5 X more likely if had low vitamin D test within 4 years – Jan 6, 2021
- Don’t Let COVID-19 Patients Die With Vitamin D Deficiency - Jan 5, 2021
- Less likely to test positive for COVID-19 if higher Vitamin D – meta-analysis Jan 6, 2021
- Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 by 80 percent - anonymous meta-analysis - Jan 5, 2021
- COVID 19 Video - Drs. Seheult and Campbell - Jan 2021
- Many drugs increase ACE2 and COVID-19 (176 page review) - Dec 2020
- Italian nursing home COVID-19 – 4X less likely to die if taking Vitamin D– Dec 22, 2020
- Take 50,000 IU of Vitamin D weekly before and after COVID-19 vaccination by VItaminDWiki
- COVID-19 lung infection upsets Vitamin D genes (so more or different form of Vit D is required) - Dec 22, 2020
- COVID-19 Disease and Vitamin D: A Mini-Review – Dec 15, 2020
- French Consensus – 200,000 IU of Vitamin D if get COVID-19 – Dec 22, 2020
- Rational approach to COVID-19: 50k-100k of Vitamin D weekly – Dec 2020
- Shift workers 2X more likely to get COVID-19 (low Vitamin D) - Dec 2020
- COVID-19 plus pneumonia in ICU with low vitamin D equaled Death - Dec 2020
- Excellent on-going analysis of Vitamin D and COVID-19 publications
- Those getting high dose vitamin D were 7 X less likely to die of COVID-19 - Dec 11, 2020
- COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D had far fewer natural killer cells – Dec 2020
- COVID-19 Vitamin D: Overview of Evidence by Dr. Seheult (Video and transcript) - Dec 10, 2020
- 75 articles indicate that Vitamin D should fight COVID-19 – Evidence Review Dec 10, 2020
- COVID-19 Vitamin D: Overview by Dr. in Sri Lanka (Video and transcript) - Dec 8, 2020
- Vitamin D recommended to fight COVID-19 by 2 groups – Dec 7, 2020
- Vitamin D helps athletes while reducing their COVID-19 risk - Dec 4, 2020
- 5X more likely to test positive for COVID-19 if low vitamin D in previous 5 years (900,000 people) - Dec 4, 2020
- 5.8 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if low vitamin D - Systematic Review Dec 3, 2020
- Evidence of Vitamin D fighting COVID-19 etc. - take 4,000 IU if less than 20 ng (UK) – Dec 1, 2020
- 3.8 X higher risk of COVID-19 death if low vitamin D – Belgium Nov 25, 2020
- Hyperglycemic 2X more likely to have severe COVID-19 - Nov 2020 Diabetes
- A Medical School COVID-19 protocol includes Vitamin D for all phases – Marik Nov 2020
- Fight COVID-19 without drugs or vaccines, Vitamin D is the single most-studied way – Nov 2020
- Hospital COVID-19 observation: 7X more likely to live if more than 20 ng of vitamin D– Nov 19, 2020
- Higher vitamin D associated with fewer cases and deaths in India Nov 2020
- COVID-19 defeated 3x faster by 420,000 IU Vitamin D nanoemulsion – RCT Nov 12, 2020
- 9X COVID-19 survival in nursing home if had 80,000 IU dose of vitamin D in previous month – Oct 2020
- Rate of COVID-19 test positive is 40 pcnt lower if high vitamin D (192,000 people) - Holick Sept 2020
Intervention
Intervention Trial Summary Table
Details on #5 = COVIT-TRIAL Dec 27
Note: >70% of the RCT using Vitamin D to fight COVID-19 are using at least 100,000 IU during the first week
Trial Results
- 21 fewer days in hospital with ARDS (COVID) if 10,000 IU of Vitamin D daily after enter hospital – RCT April, 2022
- Speculation: "No hospitalization if had gotten high dose vitamin D at COVID symptom onset"
- 4X less likely to get COVID following 4,000 IU daily for a month – RCT April 2022
- Group achieving 30 ng (vs 26 ng) were 2X less likely to get COVID symptoms - RCT Jan 2022
- 5,000 U daily raised Vitamin D a bit and helped COVID-19 a bit – RCT June 2021
- 5.000 IU daily does not help miuch
- Vitamin D reduced COVID-19 inflammation (60,000 IU daily for 8 days) - RCT Feb 2021
- Vitamin D not help 10 days after COVID-19 symptoms - RCT March 2021
- 5X less likely to enter ICU with COVID-19 if get Calcifediol (semi-activated vitamin D) - RCT Feb 19, 2021
- 2X fewer COVID-19 deaths observed if infrequent vitamin D (2X more deaths if daily dose) – ClinicalTrial Oct 20, 2020
- A Clinical Trial, not a Randomized Controled Clinical Trial
- COVID-19 defeated by calcifediol form of Vitamin D in Spain - pilot RCT Aug 29, 2020
- Severe COVID-19 not fought by vitamin D when given too late - RCT Nov 18, 2020
Virus meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews
Short URL for this section = is.gd/vdwmeta
- Severe COVID 2.6 X less likely if supplement with Vitamin D – 26th meta-analysis - July 2022
- COVID test positive is about half as likely if have Vitamin D – 24th meta-analysis - Jan 2022
- Small amounts of Vitamin D reduce Influenza risk by 22 percent (loading dose is far better) – meta-analysis Jan 2022
- Vitamin D fights COVID (54 studies of 1,400,000 people) – 23rd meta-analysis - Dec 2021
- COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D (reduce ICU by 3X) - 22nd meta-analysis - Dec 29, 2021
- COVID-19 death increased 2X if low Vitamin D (less than 10 to less than 30 ng) – 21st meta-analysis Dec 2021
- COVID-19 risk reduced by vitamin D supplementation – umbrella review of 7 meta-analysis – Oct 2021
- COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D (example: ICU reduced by 5X) – 20th meta-analysis Oct 13, 2021
- Severe COVID-19 2.5 X more likely if low vitamin D (23 studies) – 19th meta-analysis Oct 2021
- COVID-19 mortality extrapolates to zero at 50 ng of vitamin D – 18th Meta-analysis Sept 2021
- COVID-19 death 1.6 X more likely if low vitamin D (24 studies) – 17th meta-analysis Aug 2021
- Severe COVID-19 5X more likely if low vitamin D (23 studies) – 16th meta-analysis July 2021
- Severe COVID-19 3.5 more likely if low vitamin D (30 studies) – meta-analysis July 2021
- COVID-19 patients who had supplemented with Vitamin D were 3X less likely to enter ICU – June 2021
- Low Calcium associated with severe COVID-19 – several studies
- COVID-19 mortality 3X more likely if low vitamin D (999,179 people) – meta-analysis March 29, 2021
- COVID-19 was 2.6X more severe if very low Vitamin D (43 studies) – meta-analysis March 26, 2021
- Low Vitamin D associated with 2.7X more severe COVID-19 – 12th MA March 5, 2021
- Vitamin D supplementation fights COVID-19 – 11th meta-analysis Jan 24, 2021
- 3.7 X less likely to die of COVID-19 if supplemented with Vitamin D - meta-analysis Jan 5, 2021
- Less likely to test positive for COVID-19 if higher Vitamin D – meta-analysis Jan 6, 2021
- Vitamin D reduces COVID-19 by 80 percent - anonymous meta-analysis - Jan 5, 2021
- COVID-19 1.7X more likely to be severe if low Vitamin D - meta-analysis Oct 2020
- Low Vitamin D associated 1.8X increased risk of COVID-19 death in hospital – meta-analysis Nov 4, 2020
- Acute viral respiratory infections (RTI) reduced by Vitamin D - 20 reviews - Aug 2020
- Prudent to consider that Vitamin D has a role in COVID-19 – meta-analysis – Aug 7, 2020
- Risk of enveloped virus infection is increased 50 percent if poor Vitamin D Receptor - meta-analysis Dec 2018
- Hepatitis B patients have 2 ng lower level of Vitamin D – meta-analysis June 2019
- Influenza Vaccination not benefited by lowish levels of vitamin D – meta-analysis March 2018
Reviews
- Vitamin D supplementation reduced risk of COVID-19 ICU by 2.8 X – review of 10 reviews Feb 2022
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D (42 studies, consensus) – Oct 2021
- Overview of reviews of COVID-19 and vitamin D, etc. – April 2021
- Vitamin D can prevent severe COVID-19 in Latin America too – review Feb 1, 2021
- Many COVID-19 risks are associated with low vitamin D (7 studies) – Systematic Review Jan 2021
- Excellent on-going analysis of Vitamin D and COVID-19 publications not a formal publication
- COVID-19 Disease and Vitamin D: A Mini-Review – Dec 15, 2020
- 75 articles indicate that Vitamin D should fight COVID-19 – Evidence Review Dec 10, 2020
- 5.8 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if low vitamin D - Systematic Review Dec 3, 2020
- COVID-19 Scoping Review of Vitamin D finds lots of evidence, protocol to be used is unclear - Nov 26, 2020
Observe - Less likely to become infected
short URL to this section = https://is.gd/COVID_less
- 14 X less likely to have severe COVID if previously had more than 40 ng level of Vitamin D – Feb 2022
- COVID-19 patients had low levels of Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C – Sept 2021
- Taking vitamin D (guess 600 IU avg) reduced US COVID-19 risk by 25 percent (more D would be better) – July 2021
- Vitamin D is one of 14 ways proven to treat COVID-19 – July 2021
- COVID-19 death 40 percent less likely if supplemented with Vitamin D and got above 30 ng (Spain 108,000 people) – July 2021
- Children with COVID-19 and low levels of Vitamin D have more severe cases – March 31, 2021
- Kidney patients who happened to be getting high-dose Calcitriol were 9X less likely to die of COVID-19 - April 6, 2021
- 2.1 X more COVID-19 deaths in European countries with less than 20 ng of vitamin D – March 12, 2021
- Mongolia's National Vitamin D3 Program started in 2019
- COVID-19 2.7 X more likely to be severe if less than 8 ng of vitamin D (China) – Jan 2021
- COVID-19 test positive 4.5 X more likely if had low vitamin D test within 4 years – Jan 6, 2021
- 3.8 X higher risk of COVID-19 death if low vitamin D – Belgium Nov 25, 2020
- 5X more likely to test positive for COVID-19 if low vitamin D in previous 5 years (900,000 people) - Dec 4, 2020
- 1 Rate of COVID-19 test positive is 40 pcnt lower if high vitamin D (192,000 people) - Holick Sept 2020
- 2 COVID-19 increased 3.5 X if Ultra-Orthodox (cloth) Sept, 2020
- 3 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
- 4 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
- UV provides the best explanation of COVID-19 variation in Italy (74 pcnt) – Nov 2020
- Vitamin D helps athletes while reducing their COVID-19 risk - Dec 4, 2020
- Vitamin D has eliminated ICU COVID-19 in hospital in Dubai since June - Sept 26, 2020
- 1.4X less risk of COVID-19 if had taken some Vitamin D (a US yes-no survey) – Nov 30, 2020
- COVID-19 defeated 3x faster by 420,000 IU Vitamin D nanoemulsion – RCT Nov 12, 2020
- COVID-19 antibodies 2.6 X more likely if had symptoms and low vitamin D (UK hospital staff)– Oct 5 2020
- Vitamin D Cuts SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rate by Half Mercola Sept 28
- 47% lower SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate if > 50 ng vs < 20 ng
- 58% lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 if > 30 ng vs < 30 ng
- 2X higher risk of hospitialization if <30 ng
- ICU patients got semi-activated Vitamin D - death rate dropped to 2% from 50%
Observe - Reduced Severity/Death
MORTALITY AND Virus (automatically updated):
- Elderly who had been in COVID ICU were 4X more likely to die if low vitamin D – Nov 2022
- More COVID mortality if less than 20 ng of Vitamin D (Mexico) – May 2022
- 15,000,000 excess deaths in 2 years - May 2022
- COVID death 5.2X more likely if Vitamin D deficient – May 2022
- 29 X more likely to die of COVID if less than 20 ng of Vitamin D - March 2022
- Giving Vitamin D reduced COVID Mortality– Review of 11 studies – March 2022
- 18 million excess global deaths in past 2 years: COVID plus collateral damage - Lancet March 2022
- COVID severity and death more likely if low vitamin D (Egypt this time) - March 2022
- US nursing homes are epicenters for COVID deaths (200,000) - Feb 2022
- Ivermectin taken before COVID decreased death rate by 68 percent (3,000 with Ivermectin vs 3,000 without) - Dec 24, 2021
- Increase in non-COVID deaths (ages 18-64) in Indiana, India, etc. - Jan 5, 2022
- Only 35,000 died in US of COVID who previously had been healthy
- COVID-19 mortality extrapolates to zero at 50 ng of vitamin D – 18th Meta-analysis Sept 2021
- COVID-19 patients getting 300,000 IU of Vitamin D were 5X less likely to die – Sept 2021
- Predict 2X more likely to die of COVID-19 if vitamin D Deficient (Iran 2020) – Sept 2021
- COVID-19 mortality not associated with Vitamin D (everyone had very low levels) -Sept 2021
- COVID-19 mortality for Blacks is 5X that for whites in 2 LA Hospitals - July 2021
- COVID-19 mortality was associated with vitamin D deficiency of 47 countries – July 2021
- Similar death rate for Vaccination and COVID-19 study and video – June 24, 2021
- COVID-19 death in hospital 5X more likely if low vs high vitamin D – preprint June 2021
- COVID-19 deaths 1.7X more likely if low vitamin D (even after “adjusting” for low D health problems) – May 2021
- COVID-19 deaths 1.5X less likely if more than 40 ng of vitamin D – US VA – April 2021
- Vitamin D supplementation and high levels reduce COVID-19 deaths in elderly – Review April 17, 2021
- Less COVID-19 infection, mortality in countries with higher Vitamin D (Asia in this case) – May 2021
- COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death in the US, especially in those with dark skins - April 1, 2021
- Risk of COVID-19 death was 4.9 X higher if very low vitamin D – March 31, 2021
- COVID-19 mortality 2X higher if low Vitamin D (Mexican hospital, preprint) - March 2021
- All COVID-19 patients had low vitamin D, the lowest were more likely to die – Feb 18, 2021
- 2.7 fewer COVID-19 hospital deaths in those having more than 30 ng of vitamin D – Mayo Jan 9, 2021
- Worse COVID-19 patients got 400,000 IU of vitamin D, deaths cut in half – Jan 14, 2021
- Iranians with COVID-19 were 2.3 X more likely to die if low vitamin D – Jan 2021
- Poor COVID-19 prognosis was 6 X more likely if low vitamin D – Jan 21, 2021
- Less than 10 dollars of Vitamin D per COVID-19 life saved in Myanmar - Jan 2021
- 2.8 X fewer COVID-19 nursing home deaths if add 10,000 IU Vitamin D daily for a week (small observation)- Jan 2021
- Italian nursing home COVID-19 – 4X less likely to die if taking Vitamin D– Dec 22, 2020
- Shift workers 2X more likely to get COVID-19 (low Vitamin D) - Dec 2020
- Those getting high dose vitamin D were 7 X less likely to die of COVID-19 - Dec 11, 2020
- COVID-19 male mortality increased 3.9 X if low vitamin D – observation Nov 25, 2020
- Hospital COVID-19 observation: 7X more likely to live if more than 20 ng of vitamin D– Nov 19, 2020
- COVID-19 lung death 4X more likely in Iran if less than 25 ng of vitamin D – Oct 30, 2020
- COVID-19 was killing dark-skinned doctors, then they got a Vitamin D recommendation
- 9X COVID-19 survival in nursing home if had 80,000 IU dose of vitamin D in previous month – Oct 2020
- 14.7 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if less than 12 ng of Vitamin D (185 Germans) – Sept 10, 2020
- COVID ARDS deaths 2X more likely if less than 10 ng of Vitamin D – Aug 8, 2020
- COVID-19 mortality rate highest North of 35 degrees latitude (Vitamin D) – April 20, 2020
- COVID-19 more frequent and deadly for those with dark skins (high risk of low vitamin D)
- Vitamin D of 30-40 ng fights COVID, Dr. Grimes on Liverpool Study - March 2022
- Higher vitamin D, less severe COVID and deaths in hospital (in Iran this time) – Sept 2021
- Severe childhood COVID-19 associated with Vitamin D deficiency (hospital in Turkey) – March 2021
- Poor COVID-19 prognosis was 6 X more likely if low vitamin D – Jan 21, 2021
- 2.8 X fewer COVID-19 nursing home deaths if add 10,000 IU Vitamin D daily for a week (small observation)- Jan 2021
- Italian nursing home COVID-19 – 4X less likely to die if taking Vitamin D– Dec 22, 2020
- Higher vitamin D associated with fewer cases and deaths in India Nov 2020
- Chinese COVID-19 study – 80 pct of severe cases had low Vitamin D, all asymptomatic cases had OK Vit D – Oct 13, 2020
- COVID-19 lung death 4X more likely in Iran if less than 25 ng of vitamin D – Oct 30, 2020
- COVID-19 patients who happened to be taking Vitamin D did much better – Oct 27,2020
- 9X COVID-19 survival in nursing home if had 80,000 IU dose of vitamin D in previous month – Oct 2020
- 15 studies indicating that Vitamin D fights COVID-19 - Dr. Grimes Oct 9, 2020
- Children infection by COVID-19 had much lower levels than controls Research Gate, Turkey Oct 2020
- 32X more likely to have severe-critical COVID-19 in Turkish hospital if Vitamin D deficient – Oct 5, 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
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D studies - Dec 2021
- COVID-19 3.2X more likely to be severe if vitamin D deficient (80 patients) – Sept 22, 2020
- 14.7 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if less than 12 ng of Vitamin D (185 Germans) – Sept 10, 2020
- 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 hould have been completed July 2020
- Clinical trial to observe vitamin D levels of 100 COVID-19 Turks in hospital should have been 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
- FLCCC COVID guidelines now include vitamin D loading doses - Jan 2022
- Vitamin D and COVID, review of evidence, loading dose if less than 50 ng - Masterjohn Sept 2021
- To protect against COVID-19, how much vitamin D – 20 to 50 ng – March 19, 2021
- Prefer 40 – 60 ng of Vitamin D to minimize COVID-19 – March 17, 2021
- Vitamin D recommendations for COVID-19 – Spanish Geriatrics Society – March 2021
- French recommended 200,000 IU of Vitamin D to stop COVID-19 - Jan 2021
- Roll Call of Credible Experts Advocating Vitamin D for COVID-19 - Jan 26, 2021
- Call for immediate action - Fight COVID-19 with vitamin D (up to 4,000 IU) - Jan 28, 2021
- Vitamin D, Zinc, etc. look promising for COVID-19 (Holick) – Jan 25, 2021
- Vitamin-D and COVID-19: time for the profession to take a stand – Jan 20, 2021
- MATH plus protocol for COVID-19 includes Calcifediol or Vitamin D - Jan 2021
- France: 73 experts and 6 academies recommend vitamin D to prevent COVID-19 Jan 19,2021
- 40 ng of Vitamin D to fight COVID 15K to 50K weekly or 100K monthly - Spanish Jan 2021
- UK Parliament discussing Vitamin D for COVID-19 Jan 14, 2021. mentioned 66 times - mainly 400 IU
- Take 50,000 IU of Vitamin D weekly before and after COVID-19 vaccination by VItaminDWiki
- French Consensus – 200,000 IU of Vitamin D if get COVID-19 – Dec 22, 2020
- Rational approach to COVID-19: 50k-100k of Vitamin D weekly – Dec 2020
- Vitamin D recommended to fight COVID-19 by 2 groups – Dec 7, 2020
- COVID-19 protocol proposed in India includes Vitamin D - Nov 12, 2020
- Covid-19 protocol includes Vitamin D and aspirin - Nov 27, 2020
- A Medical School COVID-19 protocol includes Vitamin D for all phases – Marik Nov 2020
- Evidence of Vitamin D fighting COVID-19 etc. - take 4,000 IU if less than 20 ng (UK) – Dec 1, 2020
- Clinical trials are proving that Vitamin D fights COVID-19 in hospitals by VitaminDWiki
- Single dose of 200,000 IU
- Vitamin D should fight COVID-19 (but Irish Consortium recommends only 1,000 IU) – Nov 21, 2020
- 600,000 IU initially followed by 10,000 IU daily for 20 days Dr. Coimbra June 15, 2020
- French National Academy recommended 100,000 IU of Vitamin D to elderly to fight COVID-19 - May 2020
- COVID-19 probably fought by 40 ng of Vitamin D - quickly achieved with 200K-400K IU - Oct 28, 2020
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 3.7X decrease in Very Low Weight Births (following huge increase in Vitamin D sales) - 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
- I expect to find many other observations of:
COVID-19 associated with Low Vitamin D
- COVID-19 mortality was associated with vitamin D deficiency of 47 countries – July 2021
- Many drugs, such as Vitamin D, decrease the risk of COVID-19 – July 2021
- The lower the Vitamin D, the worse the COVID-19 (600 in Turkey)– March 2021
- COVID-19 prognostic indicators in plasma extrapolate to zero if Vitamin D is 40 to 80 ng – March 2021
- 3X less likely to die of COVID-19 if good level of vitamin D (seniors in Boston)– March 8, 2021
- All COVID-19 in ICU had low vitamin D, no difference in outcome if low vs very low – Feb 2021
- Low vitamin D associated with COVID-19 problems in NYC hospitals – Feb 2021
- Ultra-Orthodox Jews have concealing clothing, high levels of COVID-19, and ultra low Vitamin D - Feb 2021
- Higher vitamin D in a country is associated with fewer COVID-19 cases (in Asia) Feb 3, 2021 44th association
- Heavy Smokers 2.2 X more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 (they typically have 10 ng less Vitamin D Jan 30 FREE PDF
- COVID-19 onset strongly associated with latitude in Europe (Vitamin D)– Jan 21, 2021
- Many drugs increase ACE2 and COVID-19 (176 page review) - Dec 2020
- COVID-19 lung infection upsets Vitamin D genes (so more or different form of Vit D is required) - Dec 22, 2020
- Shift workers 2X more likely to get COVID-19 (low Vitamin D) - Dec 2020
- COVID-19 plus pneumonia in ICU with low vitamin D equaled Death - Dec 2020
- COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D had far fewer natural killer cells – Dec 2020
- Excessive insulin decreases vitamin D in 4 ways – problems for diabetic COVID-19 – Dec 2020
- UV provides the best explanation of COVID-19 variation in Italy (74 pcnt) – Nov 2020
- Vitamin D fighting COVID-19 meets all Bradford Hill Criteria - Nov 2020
- Magnesium (which increases vitamin D) may fight COVID-19 - Oct 2020
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D studies - Dec 2021
- 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
- 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
- T1 Diabetic children with low vitamin D have COVID-19 problems (like diabetic adults) - preprint May 15
- 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.
- Founder of VitaminDWiki believes that Causal Modeling will replace many RCTs in the future
- Obese have major problems with COVID-19 - probably due to lower vitamin D and higher ACE2 June 5, 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
- Vitamin D known to fight 8 classes of health problems, probably fight COVID-19 as well – July 2021
- COVID-19 mortality for Parkinson’s is 1 in 5, speculates that vitamin D could help - March 28, 2021
- COVID-19 what it is, prevention by Functional Nutrition doctor - Feb 2021
- Vitamin D plus Inositol might help pregnancies during COVID-19 – April 2021
- Unraveling the roles of vitamin D status and melanin during COVID-19 (Review) Jan 11
- Don’t Let COVID-19 Patients Die With Vitamin D Deficiency - Jan 5, 2021
- Vitamin D helps athletes while reducing their COVID-19 risk - Dec 4, 2020
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D: Health Authorities do not understand risk-reward – Nov 2020
- COVID-19 – Putative Roles of Vitamin D – Nov 2020
- Fight COVID-19 without drugs or vaccines, Vitamin D is the single most-studied way – Nov 2020
- Vitamin D and Covid-19 (June evidence) – Nov 2020
- COVID-19 deaths are proportional to previous interleukin-6 levels, Vitamin D lowers them – Nov 2020
- Vitamin D3 as Potential Treatment Adjuncts for COVID-19 Nutrients Nov 14
- Evidence Regarding Vitamin D and Risk of COVID-19 and its Severity - Oct 27, 2020
- COVID-19 fought by Vitamin D in 43 studies - Oct 15, 2020
- AI is examining 170,000 potential COVID-19 treatments, Vitamin D is one of only 6 found – Sept 4, 2020
- The benefits of Vitamin D in the COVID-19 pandemic: biochemical and immunological mechanisms Oct 8, behind paywall
- Vitamin D could knock out COVID-19 in 3 months – Dr. Matthews interview Oct 2020
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D studies - Dec 2021
- Possible role of vitamin D supplementation in coronavirus disease 2019 - Sept 2020
- Note how long standard publication takes - it was accepted (after peer review?) June 18
- 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
- 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
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- 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"
- "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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
VIDEOS and PODCASTS
- Vitamin D and Health video with transcript - Dr. Grant Sept 2021
- Vitamin D fights many health symptoms, including COVID-19: Dr. Mahtani video and transcript - April 2021
- COVID public health messages 1, 2, and 3 should be - vitamin d vitamin d, vitamin d (video and transcript) - Mar 5, 2021
- COVID-19 fought by Vitamin D or Heat - Drs Seheult and Patrick video - March 3, 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID-19 webinar - Feb 24, 2021
- Low-cost Ivermectin and Vitamin D fight COVID-19 – Marik video 1 hr – Feb 18, 2021
- Vitamin D and COVID-19: 1 hour simple video - Jan 31, 2021
- Vitamin D helps the immune system fight COVID-19 – video Jan 21, 2021
- Vitamin D Help Us Fight Infections - interview of Dr. Thakkar (transcript) Jan 20, 2021
- Vitamin D-COVID interview by Dr. Campbell of Davies (member of UK Parliament) - Jan 17, 2021
- Dr. Mark Gordon Recommends for immune system/COVID-19 Jan 6, 15 minutes
- 120,000 IU Vitamin D in a week + Quercetin + Zinc etc. Joe Rogan show
- This is one of 35 videos on Vitamin D and COVID-19 posted in the past week (in 6 languages)
- COVID 19 Video - Drs. Seheult and Campbell - Jan 2021
- If You Get COVID 19: Optimize Immune System (Vitamin D, Monoclonal Antibodies, NAC, Quercetin etc.) Jan 2 Dr. Seheult
- COVID-19 Vitamin D: Overview of Evidence by Dr. Seheult (Video and transcript) - Dec 10, 2020
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D Dec 9, 2020 23 minutes, GERMAN, with captions in any language
- COVID-19 Vitamin D: Overview by Dr. in Sri Lanka (Video and transcript) - Dec 8, 2020
- Vitamin D and COVID-19: Video and PDF by Dr. Grant (includes recommendations)- Nov 25, 2020
- Video review by Dr. Campbell of Observation in India
- Vitamin D and COVID-19 - observational studies found it helps, never hurts - Campbell Oct 31, 2020
- Can vitamin D fight COVID-19 - interview of Dr. Matthews Oct 2020 with transcript
- UK parliament members starting to be interested in Vitamin D for COVID-19 – Oct 10, 2020 with transcript
- 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, 2020 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, 2020
- " > 30 ng "in some way, shape, or form is associated with lower COVID-19 risk"
- Vitamin D looks very promising - Dr. Cambell July 27, 2020 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, 2020 - see her other video below.
- "It is not an optional supplement, It is a non negotiable cellular necessity" 40 ng minimum
- "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, 2020
- 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, 2020
- 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, 2020 13 minutes
- COVID-19 - Do You Need to Start Getting This Vital Nutrient? Mercola May 31, 2020
- 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, 2020
- Dr. Campbell (has daily COVID-19 videos) COVID-19 and Vitamin D May 9, 2020
- Dr. Coimbra: Vitamin D and COVID, 88 minutes in Portuguese May 1, 2020
- Click here for transcript in many languages
- COVID-19 and Vitamin D 30 minute updated May 12, 2020 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, 2020 India
- Vitamin D against Viral Infections: Antiviral Nutrition 2020 (excerpt 3) by Dr. Alex Vasquez March 6, 2020 8 minutes
- Vitamin D for respiratory infections April 18 Rishi Desai CDC Viral Infections
- Could Vitamin D Help with COVID-19? April 6, 2020
- Vitamin D and Immunity, Lots of Evidence April 15, 2020 Dr. Campbell
- Vitamin D normalizes the ACE2, which is the attachment point for COVID-19 virus Dr. Patrick Video April 12, 2020
- 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
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. Corona, Herpes, Zoster, Epstein, Hepatitis, RSV) – 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)
- Overview Colds and flu and Vitamin D
Short URL for this section = https://is.gd/covitamind