Vitamin D3 deficiency is suspected to raise the risk of more severe complications or death from COVID-19 such as cytokine storms which can happen to adults and is suspected to be the cause of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,
Not only does vitamin D enhance our innate immune systems, but it also prevents our immune systems from becoming dangerously overactive. This means that having healthy levels of vitamin D could protect patients against severe complications, including death, from COVID-19.
Northwestern’s Vadim Backman, who led the research
Many of us are concerned about us or our family being exposed to coronavirus or COVID-19. Vitamin D3 deficiency is suspected to raise the risk of more severe complications or death from COVID-19 such as cytokine storms which can happen to adults and is suspected to be the cause of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children,
Even before COVID-19, there has been a lot of research on vitamin D3 and the immune system.
In 2017 there was a meta-analysis which is one of the highest levels of evidence that found vitamin D3 prevents severe upper respiratory infection There is also this study from 2017that indicates vitamin D3 supplementation may reduce the likelihood of acute respiratory tract infection, and decrease its severity and duration where such infection does occur.
Experts now say that healthy blood levels of vitamin D may give some protection against the worst symptoms if you do contract COVID-19. One possible advantage is that vitamin D can help prevent the body from experiencing the so-called “cytokine storm,” when the body’s immune system overreacts and attacks its own cells and tissues, much like a histamine response to an allergen.
While there is a connection between vitamin D and respiratory illness, that does not mean that overdosing is healthy either. Some of the research calls for higher dosages temporarily but work with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician. I also have NIH recommended upper tolerable levels for vitamin D3 below.
Studies about D3 and COVID-19
Through several mechanisms, vitamin D can reduce risk of infections. Those mechanisms include inducing cathelicidins and defensins that can lower viral replication rates and reducing concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines that produce the inflammation that injures the lining of the lungs, leading to pneumonia, as well as increasing concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several observational studies and clinical trials reported that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of influenza, whereas others did not. Evidence supporting the role of vitamin D in reducing risk of COVID-19 includes that the outbreak occurred in winter, a time when 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations are lowest; that the number of cases in the Southern Hemisphere near the end of summer are low; that vitamin D deficiency has been found to contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome; and that case-fatality rates increase with age and with chronic disease comorbidity, both of which are associated with lower 25(OH)D concentration.
The researchers recommend those (adults) at risk of COVID-19 or influenza consider taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise vitamin D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU.
Vitamin D determines severity in COVID-19 so government advice needs to change, experts urge
Norway, Finland and Sweden, have higher vitamin D levels despite less UVB sunlight exposure, because supplementation and fortification of foods is more common. These Nordic countries have lower COVID-19 infection and death rates. The correlation between low vitamin D levels and death from COVID-19 is statistically significant.
The authors propose that, whereas optimising vitamin D levels will certainly benefit bone and muscle health, the data suggests that it is also likely to reduce serious COVID-19 complications. This may be because vitamin D is important in regulation and suppression of the inflammatory cytokine response, which causes the severe consequences of COVID-19 and ‘acute respiratory distress syndrome’ associated with ventilation and death.
Professor Rose Anne Kenny said: “In England, Scotland and Wales, public health bodies have revised recommendations since the COVID-19 outbreak. Recommendations now state that all adults should take at least 400 IU vitamin D daily. Whereas there are currently no results from randomized controlled trials to conclusively prove that vitamin D beneficially affects COVID-19 outcomes, there is strong circumstantial evidence of associations between vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19 responses, including death.”
“This study further confirms this association. We call on the Irish government to update guidelines as a matter of urgency and encourage all adults to take supplements during the COVID-19 crisis. Deficiency is frequent in Ireland. Deficiency is most prevalent with age, obesity, in men, in ethnic minorities, in people with diabetes, hypertension and in nursing homes.”
Dr. Eamon Laird added: “Here we see observational evidence of a link of vitamin D with mortality. Optimizing vitamin D intake to public health guidelines will certainly have benefits for overall health and support immune function. Research like this is still exploratory and we need further trials to have concrete evidence on the level of vitamin D that is needed for optimal immune function. However, studies like this also remind us how low our vitamin D status is in the population (even in sunny countries) and adds further weight to some sort of mandatory vitamin D fortification policy. If the Nordic countries are allowed to do this, there is no reason Ireland, the UK or rest of Europe can’t either.”
The role of Vitamin D in the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection and mortality
In very early research, scientists from the University of East Anglia compared vitamin D levels and coronavirus rates in different European countries. They found low vitamin D was associated with an increased risk of coronavirus infection and death from the illness. However, this study hasn’t gone through the proper scientific review process (called peer review) where it is checked by other experts.
Vitamin D: A Low-Hanging Fruit in COVID-19?
Observational data comparing outcomes from various countries suggest inverse links between vitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 responses, as well as mortality, with the further suggestion of an effect of vitamin D on the immune response to infection.
But other studies question such a link, including any association between vitamin D concentration and differences in COVID-19 severity by ethnic group.
And while some researchers and clinicians believe people should get tested to see if they have adequate vitamin D levels during this pandemic — in particular frontline healthcare workers — most doctors say the best way to ensure that people have adequate levels of vitamin D during COVID-19 is to simply take supplements at currently recommended levels. Is vitamin D an important biomarker for symptom severity in COVID-19?
Based on the latest analysis,3 it would seem eminently sensible for clinicians to ensure that those infected with COVID-19 have adequate vitamin D levels because this may lessen the effects of the virus and possibly save more lives.
Researchers analyzed patient data from 10 countries. The team found a correlation between low vitamin D levels and hyperactive immune systems. Vitamin D strengthens innate immunity and prevents overactive immune responses. The finding could explain several mysteries, including why children are unlikely to die from COVID-19.
By analyzing publicly available patient data from around the globe, Backman and his team discovered a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm — a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system — as well as a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality.
“Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients,” Daneshkhah said. “This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself. It is the complications from the misdirected fire from the immune system.”
This is exactly where Backman believes vitamin D plays a major role. Not only does vitamin D enhance our innate immune systems, it also prevents our immune systems from becoming dangerously overactive. This means that having healthy levels of vitamin D could protect patients against severe complications, including death, from COVID-19.
A suggestive set of numbers was published online in April by a medical scientist in the Philippines, Dr Mark Alipio. Of 49 patients with mild symptoms of Covid-19 in three hospitals in southern Asian countries, only two had low levels of vitamin D; of 104 patients with critical or severe symptoms, only four did not have low levels of vitamin D. The more severe the symptoms, the more likely a patient was to be not just low but deficient in the vitamin.
COVID-19 Deaths Are Being Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency
Preliminary results from a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study carried out by scientists from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia have linked low levels of the hormone vitamin D with COVID-19 mortality rates across Europe…But the results aren’t surprising either, falling in line with previous, more robust studies that also suggest healthy vitamin D levels can reduce the risk of respiratory infections such as influenza and tuberculosis, as well as childhood asthma.
The COVID-19 Cytokine Storm Explained
Vitamin D3 deficiency is suspected to raise the risk of more severe complications or death from COVID-19 such as cytokine storms which can happen to adults and is suspected to be the cause of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, here is a video to explain what a cytokine storm is.
Recommended Dosages of Vitamin D3 For Adults and Children
A majority of people produce adequate vitamin d through exposure to sunshine. Aim to wear shorts and a tank top (or a bathing suit) and get 10 to 30 minutes of sunshine 3 times a week. If darker-skinned or unable to spend time outdoors, or during this period where we are facing a pandemic you may want to supplement some vitamin D3 daily. You can get blood analysis to see your current levels first but as some of the studies have shown above most recommend there is no harm in supplementing. Check with your doctor or pediatrician. If you want to supplement yourself or your child there are numerous options as there are now Nordic Naturals (NN) Vitamin D3 gummies that taste like wild berry candy in 120 count or 60 count, as well as tiny orange-flavored round capsules also from Nordic Naturals in either 1000 IU or 5000 IU These links will lead you to my IQed store which supports the Cherab Foundation. I used to only carry fish oils from Nordic Naturals but since COVID-19 I have added not only various forms of vitamin D3 but also chewable vitamin C as well.
While it appears most of the studies were geared towards adults, the dosages were varied ranging from 2000 to 3000 IU per day to 10,000 a day for a few weeks to raise your vitamin D3 levels quickly if exposed to COVID-19 or influenza and then lower to 5000 IU a day. Some of the studies even point to extreme short term supplementation of 30,000 IU to 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 to treat low vitamin D levels. It appears from the following chart from the NIH that 1000 IU daily of vitamin D3 is within upper tolerable levels for most children and 2000 to 3000 IU daily of vitamin D3 is within upper tolerable levels for most adults.
In conclusion, get outside if you can, and now that we are moving into the summer months that may be easier than ever. It appears, in addition, there is little to no downside during this pandemic as most doctors say to simply take D3 supplements at currently recommended levels to ensure that people have adequate levels of vitamin D. It’s something I’ve been doing for now. I’ll update this page if I see any reason to change this advice. Again check with your doctor or your child’s doctor if you have any questions.
Lisa Geng
Author and President of The Cherab Foundation
Lisa Geng is an accomplished author, mother, founder, and president of the CHERAB Foundation. She is a patented inventor and creator in the fashion, toy, and film industries. After the early diagnosis of her two young children with severe apraxia, hypotonia, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and CAPD, she dedicated her life to nonprofit work and pilot studies. Lisa is the co-author of the highly acclaimed book “The Late Talker” (St Martin’s Press 2003). She has hosted numerous conferences, including one overseen by a medical director from the NIH for her protocol using fish oils as a therapeutic intervention. Lisa currently holds four patents and patents pending on a nutritional composition. She is a co-author of a study that used her proprietary nutritional composition published in a National Institute of Health-based, peer-reviewed medical journal.
Additionally, Lisa has been serving as an AAN Immunization Panel parent advocate since 2015 and is a member of CUE through Cochrane US. Currently working on her second book, “The Late Talker Grows Up,” she also serves as an executive producer of “Late Talkers Silent Voices.” Lisa Geng lives on the Treasure Coast of Florida.