Vitamin D vital to defeat COVID-19 acting as a barrier
Tue 10:48 am +01:00, 12 May 2020Preventing a covid-19 pandemic: Can vitamin D supplementation reduce the spread of COVID-19?
1) Vitamin D3 is a hormone that acts as a superpromoter for about 2000 genes, 10% of our genome with a broad defensive function. D3 is known to up regulate expression of the anti- microbial peptides that act against bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. The VDRE (vitamin D receptor) is present in human lung epithelial cells. P H Cobbold, Emeritus Professor, Cell Biology, University of Liverpool UK. 02 March 2020
2) D3 is a hormone with a 400 million year evolutionary history which exerts a broadly defensive role in almost every cell in our body by controlling the expression of 2000 genes, one in ten of our genome. Taking up to D3 4000 IU pd. It takes two to three months for the blood level to fully stabilise after boosting uptake. So blood D3 rises too slowly. Bolus administration is feasible under medical advice. P H Cobbold, Emeritus Professor, Cell Biology, University of Liverpool UK. 08 March 2020
3) ARS-CoV-2 virus enters into human cells via the receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme
2 (ACE2). During the course of the infection virus particles bind to ACE2 and get internalized into human cells. The virus particles bind to numerous ACE2 molecules and sequester them from the cell surface. Its loss of function can lead to serious consequences. Lower ACE2 results in atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, serious lung injury. It decreased by age. In addition, significantly lower levels seen in aged males. This could be explained by the fact that ACE2 gene is X chromosome located and so males have less of a reserve capacity. People lacking vitamin D have a weaker innate immune defense against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). A R Garami, Senior Biomarker Consultant, CEO, BL, Switzerland. 12 March 2020
4) Vitamin D has a significant impact on our immune system being important in barrier function. Recent evidence shows that vitamin D down regulates the binding site of the COVID-19 spike glycoprotein thus reducing the virulence of the virus. Vitamin D also reduces the cytokine storm. In order to correct the vitamin D winter low, rapid supplementation with 10,000IU of vitamin D3 can be safely employed. Also, a one time 50,000IU dose of vitamin D3 when one becomes ill. This one time dose should be followed by a reasonable daily dose of at least 5000IU. Smoking reduces vitamin D levels. Those that are older have increased likelihood of being vitamin D deficient, the skin with
Prepared and approved by the medical team.
Try first with health care workers and first responders.
John Watkins, Consultant Epidemiologist. Public Health Wales, Cardiff, UK. BMJ 2020, 368. 28 Feb 2020. https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m810/rr-42
The Government’s approach in their plan: contain, delay, research and mitigate. The planned phases are detection, assessment, treatment, escalation and recovery. During the assessment emphasises the need to actively find, test, isolate and treat cases.
Amongst the things that have been said are that people with blood group A are more vulnerable to
Covid-19, also there is an increased risk to those on angiotensin inhibiting drugs. Vitamin C helps to reduce symptoms.
