Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) deficiency in severe Cov2 cases

03.05.20 11:20 AM By Jon

No surprise here, but another clue that Vitamin D provides antiviral protection

LINK: "Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe COVID-19"


Results: Twenty COVID-19 patients with serum 25OHD levels were identified; 65.0% required ICU admission.The VDI prevalence in ICU patients was 84.6%, vs. 57.1% in floor patients. Strikingly, 100% of ICU patients less than 75 years old had VDI. Coagulopathy was present in 62.5% of ICU COVID-19 patients, and 92.3% were lymphocytopenic. Conclusions: VDI is highly prevalent in severe COVID-19 patients. VDI and severe COVID-19 share numerous associations including hypertension, obesity, male sex, advanced age, concentration in northern climates, coagulopathy, and immune dysfunction.


IN PLAIN ENGLISH: Every single patient in the ICU that was 75yrs or younger had a Vitamin D deficiency.  These ICU patients also had clotting problems and low white blood cell counts.  Their cases were more severe.  This is a strong correlation. 


VITAMIN D: We make our own Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight by converting cholesterol.  We can only make Vitamin D if the sun is strong enough (during spring/summer/fall, but not winter).  We make more Vitamin D if there are oils in our skin (so don't use harsh soaps, eat healthy oils).  We can last longer in the sun without burning if we have antioxidants in our system like Vitamin A, C, and E, so eat your sunscreen.  We last longer in the sun without burning if our skin is also hydrated, so drink more fluids and avoid drinking alcohol.  We make less Vitamin D when we wear UVB sunblock.  We make less Vitamin D if our diet is deficient in oils, if we take statins for lowering cholesterol.  One hour, completely naked, at noontime, will yield an average (caucasian) person upwards of 20,000IU of Vitamin D.  A whole day in the sun could yield 100,000IU!  The average adult will "burn through" 5000-6000IU of Vitamin D on an active day, and perhaps more if under stress (like an infection).  Food sources of Vitamin D include liver, eggs, and edible mushrooms.  Supplements are often made from lanolin (sheeps' wool extract), and do help, but don't help as much as making your own.