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Vitamin D, #Covid19, the elderly, obese and BME population - A THREAD
Thanks to Dr John Campbell and @foundmyfitness
Thanks to Dr John Campbell and @foundmyfitness
Things to think about:
Vit D reduces respiratory tract infections and severity.
Those with darker skin make less Vit D from sunlight and therefore more likely to be deficient.
Older people are more likey to be deficient.
Higher body fat impairs bioavailablity.
Vit D reduces respiratory tract infections and severity.
Those with darker skin make less Vit D from sunlight and therefore more likely to be deficient.
Older people are more likey to be deficient.
Higher body fat impairs bioavailablity.
The UK and Vit D deficiency.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in all adults is around 14.5%,
May be more than 30% in those over 65 years old
And as high as 94% in otherwise healthy south Asian adults.
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in all adults is around 14.5%,
May be more than 30% in those over 65 years old
And as high as 94% in otherwise healthy south Asian adults.
What is it?
- Fat-soluble vitamin
- Made via sunlight > certain foods (eggs, fish)
- Supplementation found in two forms D2 and D3
- Fat-soluble vitamin
- Made via sunlight > certain foods (eggs, fish)
- Supplementation found in two forms D2 and D3
D2 and D3?
- D3 is made in the skin and oral supplement (sourced from fish)
- D2 made from plants and fungi and mushrooms
-D3 is better at raising serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D than D2
- D3 is made in the skin and oral supplement (sourced from fish)
- D2 made from plants and fungi and mushrooms
-D3 is better at raising serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D than D2
Natural barriers
- Melanin - darker skin
- Northern Hemisphere
- Age – 70year old 25% of VitD from same sun exposure as a 20 year old
- Sunscreen
- Higher body fat impairs bioavailablity as it acts as a sink
- Melanin - darker skin
- Northern Hemisphere
- Age – 70year old 25% of VitD from same sun exposure as a 20 year old
- Sunscreen
- Higher body fat impairs bioavailablity as it acts as a sink
How does it help with infections?
- Essential for regeneration of epithelial barrier and maturation of immune cells
- Lower viral replication
- Reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Deficiency linked to ARDS
- Possibly reduce cytokine storm
- ?better covid outcome
- Essential for regeneration of epithelial barrier and maturation of immune cells
- Lower viral replication
- Reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Deficiency linked to ARDS
- Possibly reduce cytokine storm
- ?better covid outcome
How much should I take?
NICE guidelines - Everyone should take 400IU per day= 10mcg
Those at higher may require higher doses.
Serum levels 40-60ng/ml – linked with lowest all cause mortality.
Takes about 1000IU (25mcg) of vitD3 per day to raised blood levels by 5ng/ml.
NICE guidelines - Everyone should take 400IU per day= 10mcg
Those at higher may require higher doses.
Serum levels 40-60ng/ml – linked with lowest all cause mortality.
Takes about 1000IU (25mcg) of vitD3 per day to raised blood levels by 5ng/ml.
But remember:
Sun expoure, body composition, skin tone, gene polymorphisms vary from person to person.
So check VitD levels before and after supplementation.
Sun expoure, body composition, skin tone, gene polymorphisms vary from person to person.
So check VitD levels before and after supplementation.
Can I take too much?
Yes.
VitD toxicity occurs when VitD supplementation exceeds 10,000IU a day for some - linked to higher calcium levels (than should be) in the blood.
Yes.
VitD toxicity occurs when VitD supplementation exceeds 10,000IU a day for some - linked to higher calcium levels (than should be) in the blood.
Are we seeing that those with lower vit D levels have worse outcomes with #COVIDー19?
Quite possibly.
Further studies needed.
Get some sunshine and take those supplements.
Quite possibly.
Further studies needed.
Get some sunshine and take those supplements.
