Having a Vitamin D status in normal range is my Number 1 top suggestion!!! I’ve been relentlessly preaching the potential importance of proper sun exposure or Vitamin D3 supplementation to my family, friends, and patients.
Vitamin D status correlates strongly with severity and mortality of COVID-19 infection. This means that normal Vitamin D levels probably means a less severe case, and low to deficient levels probably means a more serious or deadly case.
In almost all cases in the current studies listed below, those with normal Vitamin D levels had mild to moderate symptoms.
Those that had low levels or were Vitamin D deficient, had more serious cases of infection. Almost all the people that died had low levels or were deficient in Vitamin D.
The odds of dying were the highest in older males with preexisting conditions and lower Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D has so many other benefits and a huge body of research. It’s super important beyond its potential with COVID-19.
While it’s possible that a normal Vitamin D status may help prevent COVID infection, this should NOT be relied upon (research is in its infancy). Also, it’s important to understand that these studies show CORRELATION, they do not prove that vitamin D status is the CAUSE of the mildness or severity of symptoms.
Getting Vitamin D from the sun or supplements is relatively safe in the correct dosage and is free or inexpensive.
How To Get Vitamin D
Free from the Sun: Expose as much skin as possible to mid day sun for 10-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week. Those with lighter skin should need less exposure. Those with darker skin will need more exposure.
NEVER EXPOSE YOURSELF LONG ENOUGH TO BURN! Obviously those with certain medical conditions (like skin cancer), should avoid sun exposure unless otherwise cleared by their doctor.
Supplementation – Vitamin D3: Ideally one would get their levels tested and supplement accordingly. If that’s not an option, I usually recommend to my patients that are getting little to no sun 1000-2000 IU of supplemental Vitamin D3 per day (occasionally skipping a day or two).
If they get some sun, 500-1000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day. Realistically if someone is deficient and not getting any sun, they could be taking up to 4000-5000 IU per day (or more, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending that without testing).
The RIGHT amount of Vitamin D-3 is important. MORE IS NOT BETTER.
Here’s an in-depth article on sun exposure and supplementation: Vitamin D: Sun Exposure, Supplementation and Doses
Vitamin D3 side effects, precautions, and drug interactions via WebMD
Where To Get Supplements
Vitamin D3 supplements are widely available online, and at many grocery stores and health food stores.
US (affiliate link): NOW Supplements Vitamin D3 2000 IU, NOW Supplements Vitamin D3 1000 IU, NOW Supplements Vitamin D3 400 IU
Canada: NOW Supplements Vitamin D3 1000 IU
Mexico: Vitamina D3 5000 UI de 300 softgels B Life (This one does seem a bit expensive and I’m not familiar with the brand, but it does get decent reviews. I would probably check the local Farmacia first.)
Sun drawing based on the art of Artemio Rodriguez
Interesting. Thanks for the dosage.
I am fortunate here in melaque to have a rooftop on which to take a full-exposure sunbath and after experimenting for a year, have fould that central Mexico, noonday sun is too strong to be optimal. 10:00am is about right and I do no more than 5 minutes per side, otherwise the UV cooks me and I feel wrecked the next day.
Remember to hydrate and also that UV here goes through leaf cover and light fabrics.
Sound advise