12/8/2022: As time goes on, we are getting more validation on the importance of Vitamin D in relation to Covid. A recent study showed that veterans taking Vitamin D supplements are less likely to get Covid, less likely to spread Covid, Less likely to have severe symptoms, and also less likely to die from it.
This weeks Topic of the Week:
You’ve probably been hearing a lot lately about Vitamin D. How it will help prevent colds and flu. That almost 75% of us are deficient in it (97% of African Americans). You may also have heard that Vitamin D not only helps builds strong bones, but it protects against heart disease, cancer (breast, prostate, bone, and skin), depression and autoimmune disorders.
I want to say that even though I haven’t written or talked much about it, it is all true.
Recent studies have shown that Vitamin D is a potent antibiotic. While it doesn’t kill bacteria directly, it stimulates the production of antimicrobial peptides that will destroy the cell wall of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses. This includes influenza and flu viruses. It has an especially potent effect on lung infections.
Historically this vitamin has been overlooked because of how it is produced and the assumption that people are getting enough. We don’t really get Vitamin D in our diet (an 8oz glass of milk only has 100 IU), we create it by being in the sun. Our body absorbs ultraviolet-b light and converts 7-dehydrocholesterol (which is made from cholesterol) into pre-vitamin D3, which is then converted into D3 in the Liver. The ultraviolet B light that comes from the sun is mostly available between the hours of 11 am to 2 pm. The darker your skin, the harder it is for you to absorb the light needed to make Vitamin D. With the modern lifestyle of working, learning and living indoors most of us are deficient.
Many doctors believe that the lack of sunlight in the fall and winter depresses the vitamin d and our immune system leading to the seasonal flu outbreaks.
Lately, many doctors have been taking blood tests to determine Vitamin D levels and prescribing high dose prescription Vitamin D. The Vitamin D Council recommends for you to make sure that the type prescribed is Vitamin D3 aka Cholecalciferol. Other forms of Vitamin D are not effective. Cholecalciferol (D3) is also available over the counter in 1000 IU and 5000 IU strengths. Cholecalciferol is safe at high doses, but Ergocalciferol (D2) is not. The Vitamin D Council states that chronic daily consumption of 40,000 IU is the low end of what may be toxic
Dr. Russel Blaylock, a neurosurgeon and vaccine researcher recommends that every adult should take 5,000 IU to 10,000 IU per day (2000 IU for children). If you get sick, the Vitamin D council says that you can safely take more than 50,000 IU/day for up to 7 days.
In conclusion, most people are deficient in Vitamin D, especially in the fall and winter. It is clearly not toxic if you use Vitamin D3 at amounts less than 20,000 IU on a regular basis. Taking it can have significant benefits to your health and immunity.
Vitamin D and Immunity
