Is everyone taking vitamin d?

[IHateFlies]

There are a few studies now that shows that taking vitamin d could be extremely beneficial to reduce the severity of symptoms. It seems that many people are not aware of this.
Now that all restrictions are lifting, shouldn’t this information be more widespread?

Not during the summer. Just had bloods done and mine was a bit high.

Yes, most people in the UK need to take a vitamin D supplement, at least in the Winter. This isn't just due to Covid but just generally because we don't get a lot of sun in the Winter, most people are deficient in those months.

In the Summer most people get enough from the sun - it depends how much time you spend outdoors with skin exposed.

You do need to be careful about taking too much, which can also have negative effects. If you're getting enough from the sun then you should either be on a very tiny dose or not taking it at all.

I took some in Winter, maybe a bit more now would be a good idea.

I thought that had been disproved and vit D has no bearing on COVID?

@ppeatfruit

Not specifically but I have a very high in all minerals and vitamins, organic and nearly raw diet. (not from a bottle!).

I had a weak version Covid just before the first lockdown, it wasn't contagious and lasted for about a week . I only knew what it was because it was like nothing I'd ever had before and I lost my sense of taste and smell for 2 days. I gargled with t tree and sniffed ravensara, both work very well to kill bad bacteria\viruses. No medical professional will tell you that.

Oh and I took fresh garlic with turmeric, organic honey, and an organic whole lemon. Blended together, 3 times a day. That is an amazing mix to kill infection of any sort.

It's interesting with Vit D. dh spends lots of time in the sun but has a low vit D blood test results. he drinks a lot of strong coffee, I wonder if the caffiene removes some vitamins from our bodies?

How did you catch your "non-contagious covid"?

I did have mine tested a couple of years ago and they were quite high 120ish, this was with the Better You spray so I would say that is quite effective in getting levels up (for me anyway).
I’m outdoors lots too.

@Redwinestillfine

I thought that had been disproved and vit D has no bearing on COVID?

Vitamin D does have a bearing on immune function and will help keep your immune system healthy, so it's probably a good idea to make sure you are getting enough in terms of Covid.

However, most people get enough in the Summer just by being outside.

People shouldn't take supplements they don't need.

There is such a thing as vitamin D overdose which basically makes the calcium levels in your blood skyrocket. This can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach problems and kidney failure.

So yes - take it if you need it (many of us do in Winter) - but don't just take a high dose "to cover all bases" as that could backfire.

I am because it’s in pregnacare vitamins which I’m still taking at 19 weeks pregnant. Last winter I was on the pregnacare trying to conceive, which also contains vit d. DH is on it because he had some blood work done and was vit d deficient. So neither of us are taking it particularly due to COVID.

I think I might continue with vit d after baby is here though, especially in winter. Not specifically due to COVID but I tend to have a bit of SAD and it wasn’t as bad last winter. It might be working from home (not having to get up as early and driving in the dark) but I’m willing to keep up with the vit d.

I take it every day of the year, and I live in Australia. People in Australia these days have become so good at applying sunscreen, covering up and not going out for prolonged periods in the sun we've become some of the most vitamin D deficient people on the planet.

You shouldn't spend much time in the sun once the UV reaches 3 so being sun safe and taking vit D everyday of the year (if you need it) is a wise choice.

@daisypond yes, he really did say that. It's not the sort of thing you make up.

Not since summer, as I spend a lot of time outside with bare legs/arms so am fairly confident I get enough naturally.

Bit I did this winter - propmpted by corona, but I had been meaning to the previous few winters (since we moved back to UK from sunnier climes) and not got round to actioning it. I probably will for all winters now, regardless of corona. It's so good for you, and so many UK adults are deficient.

@HaveANiceFuckingDay

Did you not receive a text / Email asking you if you wanted it?

Yes I've been taking D3 since 2016 when I was diagnosed hypothyroid. At that time I checked various vitamins and found I was deficient. I don't go into the sun a lot so need to supplement about 4000 i.u. daily. I test twice annually to keep my levels good.

I was already taking it on my GP's advice as I have frequent episodes of vit D deficiency with prescribed high strength vit D needed. So after my last episode about 3 years ago my GP advised me to take the highest OTC dose all year round and so far it has worked.

When I had vit D deficiencies before I felt awful and caught every cold going which isn't great when you're asthmatic. So when Covid hit I made sure I had plenty of vit D in and DH started taking it too. I also started taking vit c and zinc too. One advantage of social distancing is not having any colds/flu/chest infections since Feb 2020. I an worried that going back to the office in August will trigger a bout of freshers flu!

No I'm not taking it & I think OP is both wrong about it.D being that useful plus too many people believe in 'magic vitamins'.

Vitamin pill industry makes a lot of money.

Yep, religiously since Spring 2020. I figure it won’t do any harm and probably does some good.

Taken it for the last few years after being tested and pretty much having 0. I hate the sun.

I have been taking 4000IU of Vit D3 for the past few years. Get a bottle of 400 tiny tablets from Amazon for around a tenner.

@NotMyCat

These are tiny to swallow and cheap

Thanks @NotMyCat do you take them with food, or before or after?

During the winter yes

@bendmeoverbackwards I take them afterwards

Tried supplements but it gives me headaches.

Vitamin D is a hormone not an actual vitamin. You can’t get enough from food sources and you can’t get enough from the sun from Oct-April in this country. I’d recommend getting levels checked but a huge proportion of the country will be deficient in winter and this contributes to lots of health issues.

I was on a study 10 years ago on the links between low vitamin D and breast cancer outcomes.

Meant to mention, avoid taking Vit D and Iron tablets (if you do) at the same time. They lose a lot of their effectiveness taken together.

With iron - don't take two hours before or after caffeine and not with milk. Iron tablets and orange juice is most effective.

Yes, always have. We eat foods that are rich in it too. The NHS are still saying that there isn't enough evidence to suggest it helps with Covid, but every little helps!