Should I take Vitamin D to protect against COVID-19?

If you don’t know whether to take Vitamin D against COVID-19 or not, here are a few facts that you’ll need for your final decision.

The introduced review by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reveals the recent studies about vitamin D and COVID-19.

What are their recommendations?

Because of the lockdowns and the restrictions, NHS recommends taking vitamin D supplements to maintain bone and muscle health. Most of us have stayed indoors during the pandemic. That means we may have been deprived of this crucial vitamin that we usually get by spending time outside. 

According to the NHS, people should take ten micrograms of vitamin D if they haven’t spent enough time outdoors. 

In its turn, Public Health England recommends taking vitamin D if an individual doesn’t spend a lot of time outdoors, lives in a care home, or wears clothes that cover up their skin when they are outside.

Why should I take vitamin D?

Vitamin D is crucial for your health for several reasons. It helps you protect your bones, muscles, and teeth. Vitamin D also protects against a variety of diseases and conditions, such as type 1 diabetes. 

Even though the name of this supplement is vitamin D, it is a prohormone. Unlike vitamins, our body can produce vitamin D.

Here are the main benefits of vitamin D:
  • healthy bones, teeth, and muscles
  • immune system boost
  • low risk of flu
  • healthy nervous system
  • insulin level regulation
  • lung function support 
  • healthy pregnancy and infants

Can it beat COVID-19?

Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence by NICE when it comes to fights against COVID-19. However, most experts believe that vitamin D deficiency is one of the main factors in deaths from the virus. People with normal vitamin D levels have milder symptoms and more chances for fast recovery than those with vitamin deficiency. 

One study of 500 people found out that individuals with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have positive test results than those with normal vitamin levels.

Let’s note that vitamin D deficiency is common among older people, people with a body mass index of 30 or higher (obesity), and individuals who have high blood pressure or hypertension. The mentioned conditions increase severe symptoms of COVID-19.

How can I get it?

The most common way of getting the vitamin is to stay under the sun during the day. Protect your skin with sunscreen to prevent skin damage and burns.

The second way is to include vitamin D-rich foods in your diets, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, beef liver, cheese, fortified milk, and cereals.

Keep in mind that you will never get enough vitamin D from food alone. Here’s when supplements come in handy. Doctors recommend considering the following doses based on the age of the individual:

  • Infants – not more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) a day
  • Children (aged 1-10) – not more than 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) a day
  • Adults – not more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU)

It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking them. If you want to find out whether it is safe for you to take vitamin D or not, our doctors are available 24/7 for consultation.

Skip to content