There has been some growing sentiment that Vitamin D can help protect from the coronavirus and some even say it can create COVID immunity. There are a few reasons this line of thinking has begun circulating. This article breaks down what is Vitamin D and its possible role in protecting against COVID and answers the question, "Can Vitamin D create COVID immunity?"
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient found in foods such as fish, eggs, meats as well as milk, dairy products and other foods which have been fortified. Vitamin D in the form of cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is also made in the skin when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This vitamin D goes to the liver and then TO the kidney where the metabolically active Vitamin D is formed.
African Americans and other minorities with darker skin are more likely to have Vitamin D deficiency because melanin prevents the production of Vitamin D in the skin. In addition to this, African Americans may have a lower intake of dairy foods (and therefore dietary Vitamin D) due to a higher incidence of lactose intolerance.
Other risk factors for developing vitamin D deficiency are elderly nursing home residents who do not get much sun exposure; those with chronic liver and kidney disease as well as obesity. A BMI greater than 30 is associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is stored in fat cells and obesity makes it necessary to take large doses of supplementation to reach optimal levels.
The main role of Vitamin D is to promote healthy bones. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness or muscle cramps and depression. Vitamin D may also play a role in protecting against other conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, falls in older people, immune system disorders and infections, particularly upper respiratory infections.
Research is now being done to determine if Vitamin D might also help to protect against COVD-19. It is believed that persons with vitamin D deficiency are more at risk of developing COVID-19 and experiencing severe complications due to a weakened immune response.
Even though a direct cause and effect relationship between COVID-19 and Vitamin D deficiency has not been established, it has been observed that vitamin D deficiency has been are more common in the high risk populations which have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus. These include African Americans, obese individuals, older adults, and nursing home residents.
It is believed that Vitamin D supports the production of antimicrobial peptides in the respiratory lining and secondly, it also reduces the inflammatory response to infection. It has been shown that this hyperactive immune inflammatory response is associated with poorer prognosis.
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Studies are still being performed to confirm if Vitamin D does protect against COVID-19. You should therefore get the recommended daily amounts of Vitamin D3 which is 600 international units for those 9-70 years old and 800 units for people over 70 years old.
Taking extremely high amounts of vitamin D3 might be of benefit and can lead to its own problems such as elevated calcium levels, kidney stones and kidney failure. You should therefore consult your physician before going out and stocking up on vitamin D. However, natural ways you can optimize your vitamin D levels include spending time outside in the sun and eating foods rich in vitamin D.
To learn more about what other ideas about the coronavirus and how to potentially reach COVID immunity, check out this article and debunk some of the myths.
Dr. Kelly N. Wood, MD is an internal medicine physician, board-certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Kelly is currently in clinical practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
Through a multi-dimensional platform that addresses the mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kelly lives out her passion to help others achieve total wellness and lead a balanced life. She makes expert health and wellness advice accessible to all through speaking engagements, media appearances, her Facebook show, and personal blog (drkellywoodmd.com).
Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women overcome past hurt to have a healthy and happy relationship. Her debut book, “Bounce Back to Better: Recovering from the Disappointment of a Failed Relationship,” walks readers through her personal journey of reconstructing her life after her engagement ended.
Please connect with Dr. Kelly at [email protected]
