When are the government going to come out and actually say something about Vitamin D

[Namechanger20183110]

Since the very beginning this has considered to be a factor but there wasn't thought to be enough research.

Now Boston University have carried out a new study where patients over 40 with sufficient Vitamin D levels were 54% less likely to catch covid, and 51% less likely to die once they caught it.
news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-vitamin-d-reduces-infection-and-impact-of-covid-19-studies-find-12081132

I have been taking supplements since March. I am an ethnic minority, and I am really surprised when I speak to family members who are still not taking anything when BAMEs are known to be even more at risk. In fact I think everyone in the population should be taking it, especially now as we move into autumn/winter.

As much as I think personal accountability is required, shouldn't the government actually openly and officially comment on this new research? I feel that allowing doctors to prescribe Vit D tablets to those most vulnerable and eligible for free prescriptions would be better money well spent than other measures

the advice has been already for anyone to take a vit d3 supplement during the winter months.
has been for years

This is the one I got for mine. Has 10ug of vitamin D3

Thanks. The one I'm taking is 4000 IU, as mine are teens who tower over me I think they could take it but teen#2 is not yet 16.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.

Because "nanny state" 🤷‍♀️.

And it'll be like the face masks. Like @ohtheroses says, they'll need to provide it for some people (some who genuinely can't afford it) and they don't have the money or the supply.

I take my vits and get out in the sun as much as possible to try and keep well.

@redlockscelt

Thanks. The one I'm taking is 4000 IU, as mine are teens who tower over me I think they could take it but teen#2 is not yet 16.

I have a similar aged DC and have been giving 25 micrograms (1000IU) for several years now without apparent side effects. That is just a high-strength one from the supermarket, but also from Amazon. Now DC gets more than that, especially if fighting off a cold etc., perhaps the 3000IU. As previous poster said, if taking v. high D3, make sure it has K2 added so extra calcium does not get deposited in arteries but rather in bones.

@TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair

The other thing I don't understand is that we know weight plays a part and yet there's been no support or action to help people get healthier. There could have been a (gentle, non-pushy) weight campaign over the summer helping everyone get healthier en masse. There was a television programme on years ago called Lighter Lunch, I think, and people were taught healthy recipes. They had callers ringing in every day reporting on how much weight they'd lost and it was a really positive programme - it felt like people were losing weight together. I know I lost weight watching it.

I know there are a million different diets to follow but a national campaign where people were helped with more knowledge and where people could work to lose weight collectively would have been a really sensible idea. It does affect your outcome if you catch the virus in some cases.

There has been a campaign, Boris Johnson has mentioned it a few times. There's plenty of info on the NHS website and twitter.

Also re. comparisons with Spain etc, the extra Vit D from the sun might reduce the severity or duration of illness if it doesn't stop a person getting ill altogether. That is still a benefit and might be why the rise in infection numbers is greater than the rise in hospitalisations.

It’s been pretty well publicised where I live (The US) and I’ve been taking it since April. My doctor also recommended zinc and vitamin C which are also supposed to help with the severity of Covid should you carch it. so I’m now taking those too as well, why not?

Just ordered some for DP, mum and myself. Can’t hurt and as others have said a cheap option. Will still continue to social distance, wash our hands and wear masks. We don’t go out much at the moment, apart from walks which are naturally socially distanced.

You should be taking vitamin D regardless of covid, at least in winter. Most people don't get anywhere near enough.

Does vitamin d help with things like asthma too?

People who carry excess weight often have a low vitamin D level so this is thought to be one reason why a higher BMI is a concern for Covid. I thought this was interesting and may have been publicised in the UK but I haven’t seen anything about it. Getting your weight down is a good idea anyway but for the people who are really at risk, losing a few pounds isn’t going to make any difference, whereas having better Vitamin D levels might.

It’s a very good point. I only found out about it because a pharmacist friend mentioned she had her whole family on it because of Covid. So I went straight out and got some.

@Crocciesnap

I have heard this but then look at the rates in Madrid - been through the roof in both waves! Plenty of sun and outdoor life there - even for the very elderly who tend to spend their afternoons on benches in the sun on the street. Seems odd.

This

I bought some from amazon yesterday, arrived today and they are now out of stock. They are a recommended brand (nutravita) and quite a high dose of d3 4000iu.
I have read so much today about if this is a safe amount or not and have deemed that yes it is the very upper limit to take BUT then realised my normal daily multivitamin contains 400iu so now I don't know what to do!
I really think I will benefit from taking extra vit d but unsure now. Can anyone advise please?

Yes. It won’t stop you from getting the virus but it helps in general with respiratory illnesses. So less likely to end up in hospital/ICU etc. This could explain the Madrid example. Plus as we have seen from research Spanish and Italian populations can be low in vitamin D. Maybe they avoid the midday sun, maybe they cover up. It’s hard to know why.

Could you take it every other day?

@dementedpixie

Could you take it every other day?

That was to @EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide

If you have a really high dosage spray just maybe take a few times a week if you’re worried?

I never remember every day anyway. Probably about 4-5 times a week.

@dementedpixie yes I think that is probably a good idea, it will still top me up won't it!
I think I will benefit from taking a higher dose as I do suffer from low mood when the sun isn't out, aches and pains and as the winter goes on I seem to get more run down.
I think I'll take it every day for one or two weeks then every other day after that. I wonder if there is a multivitamin without vit d added, doubtful I suppose!

@delatron I usually forget a day here and there too!

I've seen Boots subtly placing it with masks & hand gel under the guise of 'immunity ' products. They are also advertising it a lot so they've clearly spotted the opportunity

I'm confused, bought two different sorts in Tesco yesterday.

One (Tesco's) says it contains 2.5 micro grams D3, which is 50% of the Nutrient Reference Value. Dose 1-2 tablets a day.

The other (Vitabiotics) says it contains 25 micro grams, 1000 IU. One tablet a day.

Is the Tesco version really 10 times smaller dose than the Vitabiotics one?

And is it safe to exceed the stated dosages to get 4000 micro grams a day?

DH and I take 4000IU a day (I think that's 75mg) and have been since March.