There have been reports for some time now of patients being hospitalized with COVID-19, having few major risk factors, and being found to have very low vitamin D levels. I’ve heard about these cases myself from colleagues. In fact, enough physicians and scientists are concerned about this correlation, that an open letter has been written trying to bring more public awareness of this issue. Such a link makes sense from a biochemical level, because in addition to vitamin D playing a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone strength—it also supports our immune system. In other words, having a low vitamin D level directly suppresses our immunity.
Deficiency of this crucial vitamin is widespread, especially in colder parts of the world. There are probably some people reading right now, who have low levels and don’t even know it. The general rule is that vitamin D levels drop in colder climates and winter months, since we synthesize it from sunlight. It also tends to be lower, the darker ones’ skin complexion. However, in my clinic—I check levels routinely and am frequently surprised by low results in people of all shapes, sizes and colors!
My advice therefore to everyone, if you haven’t recently—is to get your vitamin D level checked. This is a particularly important thing to remember for any elderly or vulnerable person, who is already at increased risk of any viral infection, including COVID. Please tell any family member or friend in this category. A lot of medical authorities, including in the United Kingdom, recommend everyone consider a supplement over the winter. Personally, I take a supplement 3-4 times a week. You may need more if your levels are low.
The exact recommendation for daily intake is debated, and varies by age and skin color. The current minimum recommendations from the CDC and Institute of Medicine are as follows:
- 200 international units (IU) [5.0 micrograms (µg)] of vitamin D daily from birth through age 50
- 400 IU (10 µg) daily for those aged 51–70 years
- 600 IU (15 µg) daily for those older than 70 years
About 400 IU will be found in a typical multivitamin, and anything from 1000 units upwards in a daily D3 supplement. Weekly doses are also available.
Watch this space for likely a lot more discussion on this topic over the next few weeks and months: Vitamin D, your immune system, and COVID risk.
Suneel Dhand is a physician, writer, and YouTuber. He is Founder at MedStoic Lifestyle Medicine and DocsDox . Follow him on YouTube and Instagram