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

Scottish government have. adverts everywhere telling us to supplement vit D

Vit D3 is readily available extremely cheaply in tubs of tablets in Lidl, and I have noticed no real shortage.

I have taken Vit D3 every winter for a few years, and was taking it when COVID arrived. One member of our household, who was not taking Vit D and is BAMR, caught Coronavirus (Properly diagnosed) and spent two weeks in the house very poorly. The two of us who take Vit D3 did not catch it then, or since.

I’ve taken vit D daily for 6 Years; is this different to vitamin D3?

Is it just vitamin D or do you need to take K as well?

Depends what the tub says. Could be D2 or D3. Of it says cholecalciferol then that's D3

Or vitamin D3? I’m very confused which one to take 😙

Vitamon D3 is better than D2. I just take D3. Some say to take Vitamin K alongside but I don't

Ok, thanks! Will have a look.

I’m going to check the bottle I bought to see if it’s D2 or D3.

Since lockdown I have taken the Lidl multi vits and minerals. They include D3, K, Zinc as well as everything else.

Check the amount on the multivitamins as the D3 level is often lower than the recommended amount. Recommended amount for everyone is 10ug per day. Dh's multivitamin only has 5ug

Is this the right thing to be taking?

Thank you 😊

The ingredients say D3 so yes they are ok

Phew, thanks! Those are the ones I’ve been buying for my Nan.

@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.

People need to take personal responsibility for their weight though, we know that being overweight contributes to a higher risk of cancer and heart disease so obesity has been a ticking time bomb in the UK. Access to plus size clothes and all of the 'love your curves' type attitudes don't help , I agree the government could do more around healthy eating being a priority from but in schools from early years upwards. Closing down children's centres didn't help as they often ran fantastic cooking community cooking classes in less affluent areas.