A Focus on Vitamin D

Congress asked to recognize the importance of vitamin D –

As naturopathic doctors, we are fully aware of the countless scientific studies supporting vitamin D as essential for immune support. Vitamin D works to protect the body against invading pathogens, making it important for immune health. Patients who carry an inadequate level of vitamin D are at a higher risk for immune related disorders and autoimmune issues. Adequate blood levels of vitamin D have shown to support immune cells (including T cells and macrophages) helping to protect against invading pathogens.

While recognizing that vitamin D does not play the role of a cure for COVID, it does seem to play a role in lessening the severity of the COVID infection.

How it works against COVID

New studies now suggest that hidden within the characteristic protein spikes of the COVID protein (those alarming looking red colored spikes in COVID illustrations) are tiny pockets where viral drugs and nutrients like linoelic acid, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin K are able to tuck in and attack, weakening the virus. This new research suggests that when people have adequate levels of vitamin D, and other vital nutrients in their body, they are much better able to fend off the virus, and have much milder cases when infected. Changing the official view on the supportive role vitamin D plays in the treatment of COVID has been a challenge.

U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced House Resolution (H. Res. 116) in February of 2021, which recognizes the role vitamin D may play in the fight against COVID-19. Rep Grothman’s interest in raising awareness about the importance of vitamin D is in line with guidelines sent in an open letter from 120 health, science and medical experts from the U.S., U.K., and Europe to world governments in December 2020 (called #VitamindDforall). The signers stated there is “clear evidence that vitamin D reduces COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.”

Resolution Calls for Official Guidance on Vitamin D for COVID-19

Rep. Grothman’s aim with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is for the issuance of guidance on vitamin D intake for elderly and immunocompromised individuals during the ongoing pandemic. He makes the following statemements:

“During the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the world was in need of a treatment for this virus while we awaited a safe, effective vaccine,” said Grothman. “While we now have vaccines to prevent COVID-19, not everyone has access to them yet, there are two existing COVID variants we know of, and people are still dying from the illness every day.

“We have been told to listen to the science regarding COVID-19 since its inception. Now, 120 doctors from several of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions concur that there is overwhelming evidence that vitamin D can be effective in decreasing the severity of COVID-19, but our government’s top public health agencies still have not pursued this credible lead. The unwillingness of these agencies to investigate this lead has undoubtedly cost many lives. I once again call on the CDC, FDA, and NIH to study the connection between vitamin D deficiencies and COVID-19 and let the public know how this could help them in our fight against the virus, just as they have with other prevention methods during the pandemic.

If passed, the resolution will encourage the public health establishment to issue much-needed guidance as to truly how effective vitamin D can be in preventing serious symptoms, complications, or death from the coronavirus.

The Statistics

Studies show that many as 18 – 40% of the general population is deficient in vitamin D. According to the CDC, up to 80 percent of Latinos and Blacks may be deficient in vitamin D while 60 percent of elderly, institutionalized, or hospitalized nursing home residents in the United States are vitamin D deficient. And almost 60 percent of all hospitalized patients are also deficient in vitamin D.

What it is

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin (consequently, a low-fat diet may leave some people unable to absorb enough of the vitamin). The Vitamin D obtained from exposure to the sun as well as supplements and food sources, is ideally converted into the active form of Calcitriol in the liver and kidneys (Calcitriol is a steroid hormone). Vitamin D is well recognized for helping bone quality and preventing osteoporosis, but it also controls the expression of over 1,000 genes in the human body. Practically every single cell has a receptor for Vitamin D, which highlights just how important it is for whole body health.

Getting Enough Vitamin D

Absorbing enough Vitamin D from sun and through diet is a very big challenge for many people, depending on location and the availability of fresh foods. From the naturopathic perspective, and supported by the emerging scientific data, optimal blood levels of 25-OH Vitamin D are between 60 and 80 on lab work. The fact is that the average Central Oregonian is not going to achieve these vitamin D levels without supplementing. We routinely recommend 5,000 ius daily for adults. The best way to find out if you have enough vitamin D in your system, is to get tested. There is a simple blood test that will provide the information needed to assess potentially related health issues. Vitamin D supplements are typically very inexpensive.

Food sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like Salmon, Tuna, Sardines and Mackerel. Cod Liver oil is another good source of vitamin D. There are also small amounts of vitamin D found in grass fed beef, cheese and pasture raised chicken egg yolks. Supplements are a great way to increase vitamin D levels.