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Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

medrxiv.org

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Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#41

Post by tannerbrockwell »

If you get the test make sure it is the right one! 25 (OH) stays in the blood longer, so this is the more accurate test. (half life of 3 weeks in your blood). Many experts recommend a level of at least 30 ng/ml ... some actually suggest that 50 ng/ml!

The scale on the test results is: Interpretive Data: Deficiency: 100 ng/mL

"The majority of 25-OH vitamin D (25-D) in the circulation is derived from the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin that is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in the UVB range (wavelength 290 nm to 315 nm).1-5 The extent of vitamin D formation is not tightly controlled and depends primarily on the duration and intensity of the UV irradiation. Levels produced typically reach a plateau within 30 minutes of exposure." [1]

"Vitamin D insufficiency is more prevalent among African Americans (blacks) than other Americans and, in North America, most young, healthy blacks do not achieve optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations at any time of year." [2]

[1]: https://www.labcorp.com/test-menu/36721/vitamin-d-25-hydroxy... [2]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16549493

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#42

Post by axegon_ »

mindcrime wrote: post #8

Interesting thing... Vitamin D is one of those things that, when vitamins come up on HN, you will often hear the refrain that "it's the one vitamin that large numbers of people are actually deficient in and ought to supplement." I've heard that many times over the years and I have taken a Vitamin D supplement on and off (more off than on) over the years. When this COVID-19 thing first hit, I had a physical scheduled…

Well yes, Vitamin D is pretty hard to come around in the northern hemisphere so no surprise there. Mind you, it's far not the only thing - magnesium, zinc, selenium are just a few which most people are missing. I mean unless your diet consists entirely of tuna and salmon probably. Over the last few years, I've stressed significantly on my physical health(after being very overweight for the most of my adult life and now happy to say this is not the case anymore at all). And while Vitamin D has been one of the things I've become very strict about, my supplements menu has significantly expanded. And there are plenty of products which come bundled with your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. And one in particular has become a part of my breakfast at this point. I haven't had as much as a sneeze in the last two years, haven't felt even mild fatigue or exhaustion, even after the toughest of days. But as you said, it's best to consult a doctor first, especially if you have bad medical history. If you are healthy and fit though then there are plenty of good options to go with.

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#43

Post by namdnay »

mcsb4 wrote: post #33

Anecdotelly, in Europe the countries worst hit by the virus have the most strict confinement: Italy, Spain and France. Makes you wonder if there is a correlation to Vitamin D insufficiency due to lack of sun light.

You’ve got the causality the wrong way round

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#45

Post by [deleted] »

mindcrime wrote: post #8

Interesting thing... Vitamin D is one of those things that, when vitamins come up on HN, you will often hear the refrain that "it's the one vitamin that large numbers of people are actually deficient in and ought to supplement." I've heard that many times over the years and I have taken a Vitamin D supplement on and off (more off than on) over the years. When this COVID-19 thing first hit, I had a physical scheduled…

[deleted]

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#46

Post by Broken_Hippo »

the_jeremy wrote: post #15
mindcrime wrote: post #8

Interesting thing... Vitamin D is one of those things that, when vitamins come up on HN, you will often hear the refrain that "it's the one vitamin that large numbers of people are actually deficient in and ought to supplement." I've heard that many times over the years and I have taken a Vitamin D supplement on and off (more off than on) over the years. When this COVID-19 thing first hit, I had a physical scheduled…

A psychiatrist I saw multiple years ago told me to start taking Vitamin D. I went more or less blindly with 5,000 IU after reading some internet articles. I got my blood checked last year and decided I should probably actually know if I'm doing too much or too little. I was within 5% of the middle of the healthy range for vitamin D levels. For reference, 5,000 IU is >800% the FDA daily recommended value. People with…

To be fair: It isn't just folks with indoor jobs and hobbies.

I've discussed this with my doctor after being severely low on vitamin D. It caused physical pain. I'm far enough north that it is impossible to get the sunlight needed during the winter. I still have days, but they are short without strong sun - not to mention that it is too cold to go without a jacket. So, supplements at least during the winter.

During the summer, I have the option of getting at least 15 minutes of sunlight a day (May through August). Being outside isn't enough: I need to make sure that more than just my face is exposed.

But then, on top of it all, I wound up taking a medicine that not only makes me sensitive to sun, but a bit more prone to a milder form of skin cancer. Sunscreen doesn't help with vitamin D production.

The end result is that I wind up taking vitamin D all year and simply get my levels checked from time to time. Luckily, the over-the-counter stuff does the trick (there isn't the variety in vitamins here as there is in the US).

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#47

Post by basicplus2 »

danenania wrote: post #28
mindcrime wrote: post #8

Interesting thing... Vitamin D is one of those things that, when vitamins come up on HN, you will often hear the refrain that "it's the one vitamin that large numbers of people are actually deficient in and ought to supplement." I've heard that many times over the years and I have taken a Vitamin D supplement on and off (more off than on) over the years. When this COVID-19 thing first hit, I had a physical scheduled…

Does anyone know of a rule of thumb for how much time spent in direct sunlight is equivalent to a Vitamin D supplement? Is an hour per day (on average) sufficient?

Just 13 min and The time of day is critical..

the sun must be above 50' above horizon for UVB to penetrate the atmosphere to reach the skin. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol

https://theralightinc.com/best-time-to-get-vitamin-d-from-su...

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-from-sun#time...

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#48

Post by nicoburns »

mikedilger wrote: post #40
danenania wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does anyone know of a rule of thumb for how much time spent in direct sunlight is equivalent to a Vitamin D supplement? Is an hour per day (on average) sufficient?

I read Michael Holick's book (can't find it at the moment) he was the guy who discovered the circulating form of vitamin D.. IIRC you get vitamin D from the sun in rather large quantities. Just 15 minutes per day with only your face and hands exposed with the sun up at 45 degrees or more will be enough. I'm sure my data is not accurate, but it's in the ballpark. He has tables that depend on how dark your skin is and…

I've also read that 15 minutes is sufficient. The caveat being that it may need to be strong(ish) sunlight, otherwise you may not generate any at all.

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#49

Post by Broken_Hippo »

hornetblack wrote: post #39
mindcrime wrote: post #8

Interesting thing... Vitamin D is one of those things that, when vitamins come up on HN, you will often hear the refrain that "it's the one vitamin that large numbers of people are actually deficient in and ought to supplement." I've heard that many times over the years and I have taken a Vitamin D supplement on and off (more off than on) over the years. When this COVID-19 thing first hit, I had a physical scheduled…

You'd have to get follow up to see if Vitamin D has gone up after taking it. I was Wrong on the internet (lots of food has vitamin D including Eggs and Mushrooms): Vitamin D supplements may not be absorbed as digestion isn't the normal process for obtaining it.

Wouldn't a doctor simply test? I know when I was really low, the doctor scheduled me for a blood test after 3 months of prescription-dose vitamin D pills. We've also spot checked since then.

Re: Vitamin D Insufficiency is Prevalent in Severe Covid-19

#50

Post by mixmastamyk »

pjkundert wrote: post #22

Relevant: vitamin D may actually be a marker of sunlight/UV deficiency (and a deficiency of other beneficial light-produced artifacts): https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure...

Yes, though older folks can't produce it as well even if they get enough sun. Latitude is another big factor.
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