Scurvy and the origin of the word "Limey" are not that far in our distant past.
Less well-known is that vitamin D is not a normal part of the American diet, especially in winter.
You mostly get it in fortified milk. For example, my aged mother doesn't drink milk, so she doesn't get it from there.
Vitamin D has been linked to tamping down upper respiratory tract infections.
It's mostly in fatty fish (salmon, sardines) and in fortified milk.
I started taking Vitamin D in December. It was a suggestion from a doc, just because I am easily affected by living in the dark confines of my office.
After a month, it was if someone literally turned a light on. I felt 100% better. I was stunned. I usually thought this extra vitamin stuff was a load of crap.
In my case it worked wonders. Your mileage may vary.
I had trouble with the “fact checking” in this article, and I’m not an advocate of any of the things that they “debunk”. The effort to stem overreaction is commendable, but “fact checking” like this is more pedantic than useful, I think. Complacency and panic are both bad things.
“There’s no evidence ‘high-dose’ Vitamin C can stop Coronavirus” — not specifically, but there is evidence (albeit not definitive) that it reduces the severity of viral infections, generally.
“It’s not a good idea to make your own hand sanitiser” because of the lack of emollients, apparently. So, add emollients.
“The government doesn’t recommend not shaking hands”, but it may be a prudent measure in the future.
“Children don’t need to be removed from schools”, but they may need to be in the future.
An economical and excellent way to get Vitamin D is to go out in the sun during high sun time for 30 minutes.
If you time it with a 30 minute walk, it is a twofer.
Also, you will get free Dopamine, which will improve your mood and outlook on life and help if you have the blues or Parkinson’s.
A younger relative complained, he didn’t have time to do this. His mother, my wife is an RN. She told him to drive home during his lunch hour 5 min. Then, he, his wife and their dog can walk and have lunch in the good daylight. They take doggie treats with them.
He started last month, and his wife drives to his work place sometimes. Regardless, they and their dog walk while talking and eating in the sunlight.