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Tuesday, September 22. 2020

Vitamin D status and COVID


Actually, this may be more about Vit D and respiratory viruses in general. It appears that Vit D deficiency might be a risk factor.


I get plenty of sunshine but take 1-2000 iu of D regularly but not daily. 


By the way, excess Vit D can be toxic. 

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss in Medical at 13:48 | Comments (15) | Trackbacks (0)

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Thanks. Since Vitamin D is fat soluble, I wondered if there were levels that were too high.
#1 DrTorch on 2020-09-22 14:21 (Reply)
From what I have read, taking under 4,000 IU per day is safe. I take 1,000 IU per day with no detectable side effects.
#1.1 Stargazer on 2020-09-22 19:15 (Reply)
I fought off a serious illness a few years ago and when I recovered I decided to take vitamins. Off and on during my life I had taken supplements as suggested by various health providers (chiropractors or alternative/holistic practitioners) but always gave them up.

This time I looked up the Recommended Daily Allowances for about 30 vitamins and minerals and just got multivitamins and supplements - less than 10 - that fulfill them all 100% or better. Quite cheaply, too.

The funny thing is, I actually felt better after I started taking them. I hadn't expected that. Of course it's probably placebo effect, but who cares? I feel better. Incidentally, the regimen includes healthy doses of Vitamins C and D3, Calcium and Zinc all comfortably in excess of 100% RDA, and tied to reducing COVID susceptibility.
#2 Aggie on 2020-09-22 14:40 (Reply)
What I read was that it was making up a Vit D deficiency that was key, not so much taking more when your levels were "normal". Also, need constant or frequent supplement rather than sudden random surge.
#3 JK Brown on 2020-09-22 19:01 (Reply)
What I want to know is why is sex never attributed to better health and fighting illness. It is likely that sex would be no more and no less effective than excessive vitamin D (or B12) is. At least then I could honestly say "Doc, I do feel better after following your advice."
#4 OneGuy on 2020-09-22 20:50 (Reply)
Regular sex is good for men's prostate glands and their hearts as well as for their mental health. You should participate whenever possible. Feel free to call me "Doc".
#4.1 Gene on 2020-09-22 21:57 (Reply)
This spring I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Along with anti-cancer medication I was prescribed several months of massive doses of vitamin D, 5000 unit doses. I was quite surprised by it.

For 30 years I worked outside in various capacities as I really hate the indoor work atmosphere of office gossip and politics. A lifetime of fresh air, vigorous exercise, and abundant sunshine wasn't enough to prevent vitamin D deficiency or cancer.

Food for thought.
#5 gardener1 on 2020-09-22 20:50 (Reply)
Is your doctor an "MD" or a "DO"?
#5.1 OneGuy on 2020-09-23 00:34 (Reply)
She's a specialized oncologist. Good enough?
#5.1.1 gatdener1 on 2020-09-23 01:24 (Reply)
Well it is up to you if it is "good enough". But you begged the question. An MD is taught in traditional medicine while a DO gets a new age kind of education where they believe in mega doses of vitamins and potions and things. It's kind of like the rule that if your only tool is a hammer than everything looks like a nail.
#5.1.1.1 OneGuy on 2020-09-23 10:27 (Reply)
Vitamin D is fascinating. Next time you can't find anything to watch on TV, I suggest researching heliotherapy. Apparently vitamin D deficiency is epidemic (a situation not helped by frightened young mothers slathering their youngsters with sunscreen) and the vitamin affects nearly EVERYthing.
#6 Gene on 2020-09-22 21:23 (Reply)
A little knowledge is dangerous. The relevant number is NOT daily dose but blood levels. Summer levels in East Africans are as high as 150ng/ml without toxicity. Any "experts" who spouts off about the dangers of high dose D without knowing serum levels is a quack. OIM recommends >20ng/ml. The Endocrine Society recommends >30. Some researchers find 60 - 80 is optimal.
#7 willful knowledge on 2020-09-23 06:18 (Reply)
My D level was 44 ng/ml. I want it to go to 60-80 ng/ml.I began taking cod liver oil and 50o0 units of D3. In April I discovered that it is helpful to take K2 when taking D3 as it helps to absorb the D better. I have found no literature or studies indicating any dangers or side effects from taking this level of D3.
I also think the lack of D in people who have dark skin is to account for the disparity in health outcomes for covid. it angers me when I constantly hear that the reason POC have Covid more is because of systemic racism and white supremacy,etc. people would rather demonize white people that take a vitamin pill.
I talk to my family,friends and people on YouTube and ask them how much D do they take. They all answer the same, either none at all or only the amount in a vitamin pill.
#8 Robert Moffett (Link) on 2020-09-23 09:26 (Reply)
Thank you, as always, Dr. Bliss.
A website called Medcram has been a wonderful and timely resource for Covid 19 explorations from the start. There is insight from work in the field work with patients as well as interesting lectures.
Vitamin D deficiency as a weakness is fighting Covid 19 is touched on in some of the lectures.
They have opened all lectures on Covid 19 for FREE. One does have to register for the account but the ONLY time they have ever contacted me by email was to inform me of a live question and answer session about the development of inexpensive daily tests with one of the developers.
Their work is timely, professional, and very interesting.
https://www.medcram.com/courses/coronavirus-outbreak-symptoms-treatment
#9 BonafideView on 2020-09-23 14:12 (Reply)
You can get Vitamin D intoxication- but you have to work hard to get there.

The 20 ng/ml blood level mentioned above is enough to stave off rickets- and that's about it. It's why D is added to milk. The MDR of 400 IU is enough to get you to 20, but not to 40-60 Most studies I can find on Doctor Internet says 40-60 ng/ml for optimal immune system functioning. With some going up to 80.

Some people will show signs of Vitamin D intoxication with blood levels at 80 ng/ml/ Why? Well, no vitamin works all by itself, and they all have effects on each other, some more than others. If your body has a large amount of Vitamin D in it- it will use it. And when it uses vitamin D- the Vitamin D is using up Vitamin K. If you're taking Vitamin D supplements- you should be taking Vitamin K. I take one with 3 different forms of K. Taking K with D will avoid Vitamin D intoxication symptoms at lower D blood levels.

But are you older and on a blood thinner like many people are? Seems to be routine for veterans being treated at the VA, at least from the signs I see....) Vitamin K is essential to clotting, so if you're taking coumadin you should talk with your doctor before taking K.....
#10 Gospace (Link) on 2020-09-24 00:05 (Reply)

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