VITAMIN D Linked to Low Virus Death Rate, Study Finds

A new study has found an association between low average levels of Vitamin D and high numbers of of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates across 20 European countries.  

The research lead by Dr. Lee Smith of Anglia Ruskin University and Petre Cristian, lead urologist of Queen Elizabeth Hospital King;'s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, was published in the journal of Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 

Previous observational studies have reported an association between low levels of Vitamin D and susceptibility to acute respiratory tract infections.  Vitamin D modulates the response of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing too many inflammatory cytokines.  The COVID-19 virus is know to cause an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines.  

Italy and Spain have both experienced high COVID-19 mortality rates, and the new study shows that both countries have lower average vitamin D levels than most northern European countries.  This is in part because people in southern Europe, particularly the elder, avoid strong sun, while skin pigmentation also reduces natural Vitamin D levels of vitamin D synthesis.

The highest average levels of vitamin D are found in Northern Europe, due to the consumption of cod liver oil and vitamin D supplements, and possible less sun avoidance.  Scandinavian nations are among the lowest number of COVID-19 cases and death rates per head of population in Europe.   Ironically, you'd think the southern climates would have a higher exposure to sun and increased Vitamin D levels, but studies in Florida have shown as much as 30% of the population has a vitamin D deficiency.   

According to Smith "Vitamin D has been shown to protect against acute respiratory infections, and older adults, the group most deficient in vitamin D, are also the ones most seriously affected by COVID-19."  

A previous study found 75% of people in institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, were severely deficient in Vitamin D.   

In conclusion this author will not conclude that people get or die from COVID-19 because of a Vitamin D deficiency but through the years, I have often read studies indicating a link between disease and low Vitamin D levels - and I take on average 5,000IU plus daily - and at 67 have not had the flu or a major cold in over 25 years.

Products like Okinawa Coral Calcium (400IU) and  EVEREST Earth & Sea Formula (2,000IU) provide Vitamin D3, the best form of Vitamin D.   Ironically, Natural Biology is all about quality, but most Vitamin D supplements are good enough, even drug store varieties.  Vitamin D3 is synthetic, all Vitamin D supplements are, and all Vitamin D comes from only a few labs - it's inexpensive and like I said, quality is not an issue, even Chinese varieties although that's not what we use.   It's the one vitamin I wouldn't mind you buying at your drug store because its cheap and effective.  

I do not recommend taking more than 10,000 IU daily from all sources.  Vitamin D is oil based and can build up in your system if you take too much; whereas, B vitamins are water soluble and if you overtake them, you will just pee them out - although you might get an upset stomach and feel ill a few hours, possibly days.  

Bottomline:  Take 2,000IU or more up to 10,000IU daily of Vitamin D3.  Check the labels of all the supplements you are taking and add up your number...