Covid-19 and Vitamin D: What to do While You Wait for the Vaccine
Here’s what you need to know about the role of vitamin D.
There is good news and there is bad news, regarding the latest Covid-19 developments. The good news is that a vaccine to protect against infection is looking highly promising, with preliminary analysis revealing 90% success rate in trials.
The bad news is that for the vast majority of people, the vaccine won’t be available for quite some time. And winter’s coming. But here’s more good news: trials on the efficacy of vitamin D are also looking very promising, and it’s something you don’t have to wait for.
Vitamin D can’t stop you from getting infected, but it can mitigate the severity of symptoms, and help get you through the winter.
“There are now close to 30 or so studies demonstrating that having optimal blood levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D (75–150 nmol/L) reduces covid-19 risks: reduced risk of infection; reduced risk of severe disease; reduced risk of dying. Many researchers now regard the evidence as ‘overwhelming’.”
Governments have started to pay attention, and to act. In Scotland, vulnerable people who are shielding are entitled to a free 4-month supply of vitamin D to get them through the cold dark months. The same is about to happen in England, where care home residents will also receive a free, four-month supply.
Vitamin D is safe and inexpensive. For that reason, scientists now take the view that by taking it, there is nothing to lose, and potentially much to gain.
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