97% of critically ill COVID-19 patients presented with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/L) vs 32% of asymptomatic patients
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining a proper immune response – from helping immune cells to carry out specific functions during an infection and modulating the genetic expression of immune cells, to having a direct effect on the lungs and inflammation, vitamin D has been shown to decrease the risk of respiratory infection, complications from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and COVID-19.
Once infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, approximately 30-40% of people experience only mild symptoms of COVID-19, 40-45% do not develop any symptoms, and fewer than 15% of cases become severe. Several risk factors have been identified that contribute to the increased risk of severity and death from COVID-19, including obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Vitamin D deficiency has also shown to be a significant, independent risk factor for COVID-19 severity, and thankfully, it is easy to identify and treat.
Vitamin D Levels Among Asymptomatic vs Critical COVID-19 Patients
An observational study by Jain et al. looked at 154 patients positive for COVID-19, ages 30-60 years old, who were admitted to a tertiary COVID-19 care center over a span of 6 weeks in 2020. Of the patients, 91 were asymptomatic, displaying no symptoms over 12 days from testing positive. These patients were compared to 63 others who developed severe enough symptoms to require admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Overall, those were critically ill and admitted to the ICU were more likely to be male and were older on average.
Vitamin D levels were compared between the groups and the difference was found to be highly significant (p=0.0001). The average vitamin D level in the asymptomatic group was 28 ng/ml (70 nmol/L) with 29 patients (32%) having levels below 20 ng/ml or 50 nmol/L (labeled as being deficient). The average vitamin D level in the critically ill group was 14 ng/ml (35 nmol/L) with 61 (97%) below 20 ng/ml. The pie charts below clearly show the break-down of those whose vitamin D levels were deficient in the asymptomatic group and the critically ill group.
Inflammatory markers were higher among those with vitamin D deficiency, as was the fatality rate. 21% of the patients with vitamin D deficiency (below 20 ng/ml or 50 nmol/L) died compared to only 3.1% of those without vitamin D deficiency.
The authors of this paper conclude with recommending “mass administration of vitamin D supplements to populations at risk for COVID-19.” Vitamin D supplementation is safe, inexpensive, and easy to implement, and avoiding vitamin D deficiency has many other health benefits.
The statistics for COVID-19 severity and fatality clearly show a decreased risk with higher vitamin D levels, however, there is no one dose suggestion for everyone (one person may need only 2,000 IU/day while another may need 10,000 IU/day to achieve the same result) – and the ONLY way to know if you are getting enough or getting too much vitamin D is to test your blood level and adjust your dose to reach the scientists’ recommended 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).
STEP 3 – Need to boost your level? Use the D*calculator to see how much vitamin D it may take to reach your target. Opt for the Loading Dose for a quicker boost.
STEP 4 – Optimize how your body absorbs and utilizes vitamin D with co-nutrients and these simple steps.
STEP 5 – Re-Test! This is an important step to make sure you have reached your target level, and to ensure you are not taking too much! Re-testing after 3-4 months is recommended.
STEP 6 – Adjust, Repeat…
Give your immune system the nutrients it needs to support a healthy you and protect yourself from unnecessary diseases, especially COVID-19.
The first Randomized Controlled Trial on vitamin D and COVID-19 has shown a 96% lower risk of ICU admission for those receiving vitamin D (as 25(OH)D to quickly boost vitamin D blood levels) along with the standard treatment, compared to those receiving standard treatment alone.
These results support many previous observational studies showing a relationship between vitamin D levels and intake and COVID-19 severity.
GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute has launched the new Immune Boost project with the use of our myData-myAnswers nutrient health system that nearly 15,000 people are already using for their health. Specific markers that influence immune health are suggested for testing as part of this project including:
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 Index
- Essential elements magnesium, selenium, and zinc
Our goal is to demonstrate how one can use the Nutrient Research Model established by Dr. Robert Heaney to show the effect of vitamin D serum levels of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L) on risk reduction for all ethnicities in the population. Status and intake of other nutrients will also be analyzed for any type of relationship to immune status and symptom severity. Join the project today!