MedCram - Coronavirus Pandemic Update 97: Vitamin D & COVID-19 Immunity, The Endothelium, & Deficiencies

MedCram ^ | July 16, 2020 | Dr. Roger Seheult, MD

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The role of vitamin D in preventing viral infections, including COVID-19, is gaining attention as more studies are released. In this video, Dr. Seheult of MedCram discusses a recent vitamin D review article published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients which has compelling implications for COVID-19 and overall vascular and endothelial health. (This video was recorded July 16, 2020).

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Dr. Seheult discusses the key findings presented in this July 15, 2020 paper: Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease.

They key section regarding COVID-19 is...

5.8. Respiratory Viral Infection and COVID-19
It is known that the outbreak of influenza infection is periodic and usually occurs during the wintertime at higher latitudes but is sporadic throughout the year in the tropical area. One of the proposed explanations is that the seasonal outbreak could be due to a seasonal variation in circulating levels of 25(OH)D which reaches the lowest levels in the winter. Several studies have supported this hypothesis as they reported the independent association between low level of serum 25(OH)D and incidence and severity of respiratory tract infection in children and adults. A prospective cohort study in healthy adults living in New England showed a two-fold reduction in the risk of developing acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in those with serum 25(OH)D levels of 38 ng/mL (95 nmol/L) or more. A case-control study in children aged less than 2 years reported that children requiring hospitalization for ARI had significantly 1.7-times higher odds of vitamin D deficiency as compared to those with mild ARI. This indicates the protective effects of sufficient vitamin D status against respiratory viral infection. Respiratory viruses enter the respiratory epithelium via the specific entry receptors where it causes cellular and tissue damages and triggers innate and adaptive immune responses, which then result in airway and systemic inflammation and, in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis or acute respiratory distress syndrome. 1,25(OH)2D (the biologically active form of vitamin D is 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or 1,25(OH)2D) exerts anti-viral activities and modulates inflammatory response to viral infection by stimulating cathelicidin release, modulation of toll-like receptor expression and NK (Natural Killer) cells function, as well as suppressing over-expression of proinflammatory cytokines. A recent meta-analysis of 25 RCTs showed that supplementation of vitamin D2 or D3 can protect against the development of acute respiratory tract infection compared with placebo (odds ratio 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81–0.96).

The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the out-of-proportion rate of symptomatic infection, morbidity and mortality observed in African American and obese individuals suggests the possible impact of vitamin D on host response and susceptibility to the infection as obese and Black individuals are known to have an elevated risk for vitamin D deficiency. Apart from the immunomodulatory and anti-viral effects, 1,25(OH)2D acts specifically as a modulator of the renin–angiotensin pathway and down-regulates the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 expression, which serves as the host cell receptor that mediates infection by SARS-CoV-2. It is therefore proposed that supplementation of vitamin D can reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.

Although the efficacy of vitamin D is still unclear as the results of ongoing clinical trials are still pending, it is advisable that one should maintain adequate vitamin D intake to achieve the desirable serum 25(OH)D level of 40–60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L) in order to minimize the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection. It is well documented that worldwide on average approximately 40% of children and adults have circulating levels of 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) and approximately 60% <30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L). Thus, patients presenting to the hospital with COVID-19 are likely to have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. It is therefore reasonable to institute as a standard of care to give at least one single dose of 50,000 of vitamin D to all COVID-19 patients as soon as possible after being hospitalized. For patients who are intubated and are being fed by a G-tube, they should be treated with a liquid form of vitamin D. Drisdol is a pediatric liquid vitamin D2 formulation that contains 8000 IUs per mL that can be given daily to these patients to treat vitamin D deficiency.

So we have another paper that indicates that supplementation with D3 is a smart thing to fight COVID. Dr. Seheult himself takes a daily regiment of Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Quercitin and Zinc and he is on the front lines dealing with COVID-19 patients.

[hsmomx3]

I just ordered more D3 because I have a feeling we may see a shortage in the near future.

[Sacajaweau]

I eat salmon or tuna 4 times a week. I’m 76 so I don’t worry about the “contaminates”.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Which one are you using? I’ve been using Thorne Research D3 5,000 IU. But I also get a lot of sunshine on walks, hikes and gardening.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Here’s what I get from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GB85JR4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[yuleeyahoo]

I have been using this period to catch up on my reading outside where I stock up on Vitamin D.

[calico_thompson]

Please, just tell me how much D3 take, and how much is too much.

[angry elephant]

I get that same kind of Vitamin D from Amazon as you just posted.

[WildHighlander57]

Good find!!!

[Dana1960]

This video is great. Thank you! :)

[systemjim]

A person would have to try very hard to achieve vitamin D toxicity. Many people take 10,000 IU each day for months without any issues.

Your best bet is to take the amount you are comfortable with and have your vitamin D checked periodically with a blood test. Your target vitamin D level should be what is called "optimal" (i.e. at the high end of the normal range.)

Several years ago I began taking 5000 IU daily, but after my blood test showed that I was barely in the normal range, I upped it to 10,000 IU. That was many months ago.

When the mask nonsense blows over, I will have my blood checked again. I am hoping to find it "optimal".

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I like the University of Eastern Virginia Medical School Critical Care COVID-19 Management Protocol (updated 6-17-2020). But I’m not a doctor.

Your blood D3 level depends on your skin color, latitude, time spent in the sun, use of sunblock, extent of your clothing, elevation, time of year and other factors. You should get your D3 level checked as a starting point.

[hsmomx3]

We’re almost finished with Vitamin Shoppe D3 brand, and we just ordered D3 5000 IU Piping Rock Brand. The latter haven’t taken yet and hope they work.

[GailA]

D3 ISN’T WATER SOLUBLE, YOU CAN OD ON IT. 40 MG ZINC CITRATE, DIABETICS NO C RUNS YOUR SUGAR UP. ADD SELENIUM 400 MCG

[ModelBreaker]

“Please, just tell me how much D3 take, and how much is too much.”

5000 iu per day worked for me. Everyone is different. So I would start there and then get your blood tested. That dose could be either high or low. You can get quality testing at LEF.org.

[elteemike]

Just do an online search for the Vitamin D “Hammer”...

50,000 IUs once or 10,000 IUs twice a day for 2-3 days...I’ve been using this for a couple of years in lieu of a flu shot and have had no flu or colds...YMMV...

Canadian Dr. Schwalfenberg came up with this as a treatment for influenza...Appears it may have efficacy for other viral illnesses(?)...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4463890/

[goodnesswins]

Get a d3 test...that’s how you know...you should be at 60-80 level...regardless what SOME docs say

[goodnesswins]

PS...I’ve been taking @ 10,000 day for a year...recent test level was 72

[goodnesswins]

And you need to take K2 With D3...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Glad you both liked it! Dr. Seheult is an amazing lecturer. His style and presentation graphics are first-rate. He does a great job finding the best and most recent papers, then making them understandable, even for lay people with an interest in biology.