On Dec 7, 2020 a group of more than 100 scientists signed a letter recommending that governmental agencies and major medical organizations endorse their recommendation for universal Vitamin D supplementation at adequate doses in order to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection and death.

https://vitamindforall.org/letter.html

The letter cites multiple converging sources of data from several studies that should no longer be ignored.

“To all governments, public health officials, doctors, and healthcare workers,
[Residents of the USA: Text “VitaminDforAll” to 50409 to send this to your state’s governor.]
Research shows low vitamin D levels almost certainly promote COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Given its safety, we call for immediate widespread increased vitamin D intakes .
Vitamin D modulates thousands of genes and many aspects of immune function, both innate and adaptive. The scientific evidence shows that:
● Higher vitamin D blood levels are associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
● Higher D levels are associated with lower risk of a severe case (hospitalization, ICU, or death).
● Intervention studies (including RCTs) indicate that vitamin D can be a very effective treatment.
● Many papers reveal several biological mechanisms by which vitamin D influences COVID-19.
● Causal inference modelling, Hill’s criteria, the intervention studies & the biological mechanisms indicate that vitamin D’s influence on COVID-19 is very likely causal , not just correlation.“

I have previously discussed the relationship between low Vitamin D levels and COVID-19 infection.

https://practical-evolutionary-health.com/2020/05/02/covid-19-link-to-vitamin-d-status-should-doctors-prescribe-sunshine/

Since that post several more studies have been published strengthening the evidence that low levels of Vitamin D are not only ASSOCIATED with increased risk of infection, severe illness and death from COVID-19, but that this relationship is CAUSATIVE.

80% of patients requiring ICU care for COVID-19 infection have low vitamin D levels (25-OH Vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/ml)

“The data strongly suggests that vitamin D is the safest, easiest, and most important anti-pandemic measure the world is failing to prioritize,” says Karl Pfleger, Ph.D., biotech investor, former Google data scientist, and one of the organizers of VitaminDforAll.org.

More than 80 percent of COVID-19 patients are deficient in Vitamin D, studies show.

But how much vitamin D should an adult take and in what form?

As discussed in the letter, 3875 IU (97 micrograms) of Vitamin D3 daily is required for 97.5% of adults to reach a level of 20 ng/ml. 6200 IU (155 mcg) are required for 97.5% of adults to reach a level of 30 ng/ml. These doses far exceed the RDA (minimum daily requirement) necessary to prevent rickets.

On a sunny day, not too far from the equator, adult humans are capable of generating 10,000 units of vitamin D per day from the interaction of sunlight with skin. Human studies have demonstrated NO TOXICITY with daily supplementation of 10,000 units Vitamin D3 per day. Because of the risks of skin cancer, common use of sun block, distance from the equator, and a decrease in the ability of humans to make vitamin D from sunlight as we age, too many people have chronically low levels.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. On a given daily dose it takes about 3 months to reach a steady state (stable tissue levels).

The point of that open letter and similar letters which have been published in major medical journals is the following. There exists today enough data to support universal supplementation with safe doses of Vitamin D3, well above the RDA, in order to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection, risk of severe illness, and risk of death with the infection. Any further delay, waiting for more data is senseless. The risk benefit calculation based on present data is a “no-brainer”.

My wife and I have been supplementing with 4000 IU per day. Fauci is reported to be taking 6000 IU per day. We take it with food in order to maximize absorption. Our levels have been measured. Our levels are >30 ng/ml, <40 ng/ml on this dose. These are protective levels.

The amount of supplementation necessary to achieve these levels varies from person to person, season to season, and varies with distance from the equator. Some individuals will require less, some more to achieve levels above 30 ng/ml. But adults can safely take the daily amount recommended in VitaminDforall, http://HTML version.

The suggested protocol for those not already receiving the recommended intake is 10,000 IU (250mcg) daily for 2-3 weeks (or until achieving 30ng/ml if undergoing testing), followed by taking 2000-4000 IU daily thereafter.

In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic I will close with the usual summary.

1. Avoid alcohol consumption (alcohol wreaks havoc with your immunity)
2. Get plenty of sleep (without adequate sleep your immune system does not work well )
3. Follow good sleep habits
4. Exercise, especially out of doors in a green space, supports the immune system
5. Get some sunshine and make sure you have adequate Vitamin D levels. Supplement with Vitamin D3 to get your levels above 30 ng/ml. (read this Open Letter)
6. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in micronutrients.
7. Practice stress reduction like meditation and yoga which improves the immune system
8. Eliminate sugar-added foods and beverages from your diet. These increase inflammation, cause metabolic dysfunction, and suppress immunity.
9. Eliminate refined-inflammatory “vegetable oils” from your diet, instead eat healthy fat.
10. Clean up your home environment and minimize your family’s exposure to environmental toxins by following recommendations at EWG.org with regards to household products, personal care products, and organic foods. (https://www.ewg.org/)

THIS WEBSITE PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Eat clean, drink filtered water, love, laugh, exercise outdoors in a greenspace, get some morning sunlight, block the blue light before bed, engage in meaningful work, find a sense of purpose, spend time with those you love, AND sleep well tonight.

Doctor Bob