Vitamin D Deficiency & Supplementation Trend in Response to COVID-19

by Melinda Burris Willms

Why Fears of Low Vitamin D Levels Have Spiked in the Wake of COVID-19

Several research studies have been conducted recently and it has been widely reported that a link has been observed between individuals who have vitamin D deficiency and increased severity of COVID-19 infection and death from the disease.¹

Elderly individuals were identified early on by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) as an at-risk demographic that was warned to take extra precautions by being hyper-vigilant about self-isolating, social distancing, wearing masks when it was necessary to venture out in public, and other recommended prevention protocols.¹

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One report cited often in recent weeks observes a correlation noted in new research studies comparing statistics from 20 European countries showing a connection between people with diminished vitamin D levels and increased incidents of COVID-19 infection resulting in death. Elderly individuals in all 20 countries were found to have exceedingly low vitamin D levels, with the problem being especially pronounced in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Given that geriatric populations have been deemed to be at a higher risk of contracting the disease by world health experts, it has been suggested that the propensity of elderly individuals to have decreased vitamin D levels may be a crucial part of the explanation for why they are so susceptible to the virus.¹

A retrospective cohort study, also known as a historic cohort study (based on observational research of data taken from archived patient files) conducted in Indonesia, analyzed 780 patient outcomes in documented cases of COVID-19 and reported that in the vast majority of cases where the infection caused death, patients had abnormally low vitamin D levels.¹

In a time of crises such as a global pandemic, it is perhaps not surprising that there would be some who would read these study findings and conclude that doubling up on vitamin D supplements could help them stave off the potentially deadly infection. However, though vitamin D has numerous health benefits, too much of even a good thing presents a whole other set of dangers, as is the case when vitamin D is taken to excess.

Hold Off Before Ordering Extra Vitamin D Supplements!

Concerned at what they deemed misleading and potentially dangerous social media posts

suggesting that ingesting large doses of vitamin D could be an effective preventative measure to avoid contracting the disease, Professor Colin Smith, a specialist in functional genomics at the University of Brighton and other health experts from the UK authored an article in the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health to warn the public of the risks of taking high doses of vitamin D.

Professor Smith went so far as to assert, “There are currently some very misleading articles doing the rounds on social media about mega doses of vitamin D as a COVID-19 protective measure–which are not true–and hence the urgent need to inform the public.”²

Why Interest in Vitamin D Has Spiked in Response to Fear of COVID-19 Infection

While Professor Smith made it clear that taking excessive doses of vitamin D as a prophylactic to avoid COVID-19 was not based on scientific fact and could be dangerous, he did acknowledge that due to the mandatory isolation policies that have been instituted around the world, vitamin D deficiency is a legitimate concern because people are staying indoors more and the two major sources of vitamin D are exposure to sunlight and proper diet. Given these facts, the professor did advise taking adequate amounts of “vitamin D3 supplements” as the essential nutrient is absolutely necessary for “maintaining healthy bones and muscles . . . and for maintaining a healthy immune system.”²

Factors That Lead to Vitamin D Deficiency

Scientific research has come to a uniform decision that diet has a major impact on vitamin D levels. Studies reveal that people in northern Europe have a tendency to have elevated vitamin D levels and attribute this to the diet in the region which consists of a high intake of cod liver oil and a population that regularly takes vitamin D supplements in greater quantities. While there have been fewer incidents of COVID-19 in Scandinavian nations, Italy in contrast experienced an astonishing number of cases, ranking it among the European nations most severely affected by the pandemic.¹

Italians are prone to serious vitamin D deficiency, a condition that (unsurprisingly, given the statistics cited previously in this article) disproportionately affects older members of the country’s population. This could be linked to the propensity of Italians to have darker complexions as exposure to sunlight does not result in high production of vitamin D as it does in those with fairer skin. Those in long-term care facilities who have less exposure to the sun and often consume foods that are not rich in vitamin D are also more likely to suffer from deficiency.¹

So, what should you eat to consume the proper amount of vitamin D? Foods that are naturally abundant in vitamin D include:

• Cheese
• Egg yolks
• Orange juice
• Fatty fish¹

Vitamin D Deficiency and the American Diet

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in the US with approximately 40% of Americans having abnormally low vitamin D levels.¹ Registered Dietician Anna Taylor explains, “so few foods found in nature are good sources of vitamin D, fortified foods provide most of the vitamin D found in the American diet.”⁵ Taylor goes on to warn that many of these foods fortified with vitamin D often also contain unhealthy ingredients including a high sugar content and hydrogenated fats. Taylor recommends that when looking for milk and other food products with added vitamin D, be sure to check and make sure the product is also low in sugar.⁵

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is essential for developing and maintaining strong bones and because the nutrient is key to sustaining a healthy immune system, studies suggest proper intake of vitamin D may be beneficial in preventing serious illnesses including some types of cancer. Vitamin D deficiency presents with the following symptoms:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Pain³

How a Low Vitamin D Level Can Affect Athletic Performance

Common symptoms of depression are a lack of interest and decreased energy. Combine this with feeling tired, weak, and being in pain, and it becomes obvious how diminished vitamin D levels could seriously hamper your ability to reach your athletic goals.

Dangers and Symptoms Associated with Over Consumption of Vitamin D

While it has been established that proper vitamin D intake is important to maintaining good health, over consumption of vitamin D presents serious health risks. This is particularly true for patients prescribed medications for hypertension and heart conditions. Elevated doses of vitamin D can also be particularly dangerous for individuals with reduced kidney function.²

Health experts in the US recommend a daily allowance of 400 international units (IU) for children up to one year of age. People in the age range of 1-70 should consume 600 IU per day. Individuals over the age of 70 are encouraged to increase their daily intake of vitamin D supplements to 800 IU/day.³

Ingesting too much vitamin D on a regular basis can have a range of serious health implications. Children 9 years and up, adults, and women who are pregnant and breast-feeding that consume in excess of 4,000 IU per day are subject to the following symptoms:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss
• Confusion/disorientation
• Weakness
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Kidney damage³

Conclusion

The evidence is clear that proper vitamin D consumption is crucial to maintaining good health. A number of scientific studies have also observed that those who develop the most severe cases of COVID-19 often also have diminished levels of vitamin D. This does not suggest that excessive dosages of vitamin D should be taken as a preventative measure to guard against COVID-19; however, it does underscore the importance of making the effort to ensure your intake of vitamin D through exposure to the sun, a proper diet, and supplementation is sufficient to maintain a healthy immune system.

References

1. GlobalData Healthcare. (11 June 2020). Vitamin D Affects COVID-19 Mortality.
2. Press Association. (19 May 2020). Scientists Dismiss Claims Mega Doses of Vitamin D Can Protect Against COVID-19.
3. Mayo Clinic. (18 Oct. 2017). Vitamin D.
4. Cleveland Clinic. (16 Oct. 2019). Vitamin D Deficiency.
5. Cleveland Clinic. (23 Oct. 2019). How to Get More Vitamin D from Your Food: Sun, Supplements and Real Food.

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