Showing posts with label Covid19 vitamin D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covid19 vitamin D. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Forget Face Masks, Take Some Vitamin D


Evidence That COVID-19 Risk and Severity Is Increased in Vitamin D Deficiency Frontiers in Public Health

Early researchers reported three striking patterns. Firstly, the innate immune system is impaired by vitamin D deficiency, which would predispose sufferers to viral infections such as COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency also increases the activity of the X-chromosome-linked “Renin-Angiotensin” System, making vitamin D deficient individuals (especially men) more susceptible to COVID-19's deadly “cytokine storm” (dramatic immune system overreaction). Secondly, the groups who are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 match those who are at highest risk for severe vitamin D deficiency. This includes the elderly, men, ethnic groups whose skin is naturally rich in melanin (if living outside the tropics), those who avoid sun exposure for cultural and health reasons, those who live in institutions, the obese, and/or those who suffer with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. And thirdly, the pattern of geographical spread of COVID-19 reflects higher population vitamin D deficiency. Both within the USA and throughout the world, COVID-19 fatality rates parallel vitamin D deficiency rates.

Low vitamin D status associated with 1.77-fold higher risk of Covid19 infection JAMA Network

Low vitamin D status associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality in the Indian population International Immunopharmacology

True, correlation does not prove causation. However, a study from Spain leaves little room for doubt that vitamin D enhances resistance to Covid 19. Of 50 patients treated with vitamin D, aka calcifediol, only two required intensive care, whereas 50% of matched but untreated patients required intensive care.

All hospitalized patients received as best available therapy the same standard care, (per hospital protocol) ...

Eligible patients were allocated at a 2 calcifediol:1 no calcifediol ratio through electronic randomization on the day of admission to take oral calcifediol (0.532 mg), or not. Patients in the calcifediol treatment group continued with oral calcifediol (0.266 mg) on day 3 and 7, and then weekly until discharge or ICU admission.

Results
Of 50 patients treated with calcifediol, only one (2%) required admission to the ICU, whereas of 26 untreated patients, 13 (50%) required admission p value X2 Fischer test p < 0.001.

Source: Effect of calcifediol treatment and best available therapy versus best available therapy on intensive care unit admission and mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19: A pilot randomized clinical study PubMedCentral

Related:

ZH:
Top UK Scientists Warn "Many, Or All" COVID-19 Vaccine Projects Could Fail, First Gen "Likely To Be Imperfect"
DM:
Councillor claims Covid is 'a fake virus'