Vitamin D meets Hill’s Criteria for fighting COVID (adult about 5,000 IU daily) – Feb 2025

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Vitamin D Deficiency Meets Hill’s Criteria for Causation in SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility, Complications, and Mortality: A Systematic Review

Nutrients 2025, 17(3), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030599
Sunil J. Wimalawansa – Endocrinology and Human Nutrition, CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, USA

Clinical trials consistently demonstrate an inverse correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D; calcifediol] levels and the risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 disease, complications, and mortality. This systematic review (SR), guided by Bradford Hill’s causality criteria, analyzed 294 peer-reviewed manuscripts published between December 2019 and November 2024, focusing on plausibility, consistency, and biological gradient. Evidence confirms that cholecalciferol (D3) and calcifediol significantly reduce symptomatic disease, complications, hospitalizations, and mortality, with optimal effects above 50 ng/mL. While vitamin D requires 3–4 days to act, calcifediol shows effects within 24 h. Among 329 trials, only 11 (3%) showed no benefit due to flawed designs. At USD 2/patient, D3 supplementation is far cheaper than hospitalization costs and more effective than standard interventions. This SR establishes a strong inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and SARS-CoV-2 vulnerability, meeting Hill’s criteria. Vitamin D3 and calcifediol reduce infections, complications, hospitalizations, and deaths by ~50%, outperforming all patented, FDA-approved COVID-19 therapies.
With over 300 trials confirming these findings, waiting for further studies is unnecessary before incorporating them into clinical protocols. Health agencies and scientific societies must recognize the significance of these results and incorporate D3 and calcifediol for prophylaxis and early treatment protocols of SARS-CoV-2 and similar viral infections. Promoting safe sun exposure and adequate vitamin D3 supplementation within communities to maintain 25(OH)D levels above 40 ng/mL (therapeutic range: 40–80 ng/mL) strengthens immune systems, reduces hospitalizations and deaths, and significantly lowers healthcare costs.
When serum 25(OH)D levels exceed 70 ng/mL, taking Vitamin K2 (100 µg/day or 800 µg/week) alongside vitamin D helps direct any excess calcium to bones.
The recommended vitamin D dosage (approximately 70 IU/kg of body weight for a non-obese adult) to maintain 25(OH)D levels between 50–100 ng/mL is safe and cost-effective for disease prevention, ensuring optimal health outcomes.
 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

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Hill's Criteria (from PDF)

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See 10 related pages

Hill's Criteria indicates that COVID-19 will be treated by Vitamin D - Annweiler June 8 2020
Bradford Hill Criteria applied to COVID Vaccinations - Oct 2022
Over 727 Virus studies have Vitamin D in the title
COVID and Vitamin D book by Anderson and Grimes - Sept 2023
COVID, Vitamin D, Drs. Grimes and Campbell - Jan 2024
COVID infections and vaccinations decrease Vitamin D – many studies
Vitamin D preventing and treating COVID - 30,000 publications – Oct 2024
Many diseases prevented if Vitamin D level higher than 50 ng -Sunil June 2024
Vitamin D helps the immune system fight COVID-19 – Sunil video Jan 2021
COVID-19 Vitamin D Overview - Sunil video and transcript - Dec 8, 2020

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Response to 5,000 IU daily is measured in months

5,000 or 10,000 IU Vitamin D for 7 years both safe and effective (4700 patients, 8 months to plateau) – Jan 2019

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Loading dose response to standard Vitamin D is measured in days

Loading Dose of Vitamin D category

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Loading dose response to Vitamin D nanoemulsion swished in mouth, is measured in hours

Nanoemulsion Vitamin D is faster and better - many studies
Fast responses to Vitamin D – loading dose, nanoemulsion and Calcifediol – April 2023

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VitaminDWiki - 23 studies in both categories VIRUS and LOADING DOSE

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