Vitamin D and Covid-19: Where’s the evidence?

We’ve all heard of Vitamin D, and the two words that immediately spring to mind are: calcium and sunshine! But did you know that around one billion people in the world suffer from Vitamin D deficiency? That’s funny, considering some of us are living in tropical paradises like Malaysia… 

Vitamin D mainly supports bone health and calcium absorption. But low levels are also the culprits behind fatigue, mood swings, hormonal imbalance, joint pain, digestive problems and a low immune system. Yes, more than just preventing rickets in children or osteoporosis in old age, there’s evidence now that it helps in the Covid-19 fight! 

Get these 3 D’s out of Vitamin D

Vitamin D enhances immune cell functions, like T cells that protect our body against pathogens – making us less likely to catch infections and diseases. Three studies in the US, UK and Singapore have already associated Vitamin D deficiency with a higher risk of Covid-19.

Vitamin D deficiency is no joke. It’s more important now that we’re isolating and working from home. Even before Covid, some set out for work before sunrise, and come home after sunset. We’re on our bums all day in air-conditioned offices, go to air-conditioned malls, and put sunblock on the minute we’re outside. How do we get our Vit D then??

Eating egg yolks, liver, red meat and salmon everyday may not be realistic (and not healthy either! We always recommend a balanced diet). In fact, only 10% of our daily Vitamin D comes from food. That’s why it’s important to top this up in other ways, like supplements. 

It’s even more crucial for the homebound, like elderly parents, housewives and children doing online classes all day, and also if you like being indoors all the time. People who have darker skin, are strict vegans, obese and who fall sick regularly need to up their Vitamin D levels too.

Why and how should I take Vitamin D?

Vitamin D has many other benefits including:

a. Regulating fetal growth

b. Controlling insulin levels for those with diabetes

c. Supporting immune, brain and nervous system health

d. Reducing risks of prostate, breast, colon and ovarian cancer

Vitamin D is available commercially in the market, but many of them have very low IU (International Unit) dosage – below 1,000. Don’t be fooled by packaging, especially those on multivitamins which claim to have a lot of different ingredients. Yes, that may be true, but when you look carefully, its Vitamin D content is actually very low!

Bespoke Health provides Vitamin D testing, and from the result, our consultants and doctors will recommend the correct dosage for you – whether you’re insufficient, deficient or doing just alright. Remember that supplements are most effective when tailored to your body’s needs. 

And for those “puteri lilin”s who are afraid of the sun, don’t worry, we also have our range of personalised skin care to take care of that – removing pigments and freckles to keep you looking young and radiant! 

And whilst we’re all waiting for a Covid-19 vaccine, now is the best time to boost up your immune system instead of just sitting around. The best way to do that is through a mixture of Vitamin D and Vitamin C. Remember our 3 D’s – plenty of daylight, a diet balanced with supplements and upping your immunity defences!

REFERENCES

1. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=82644 
2. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/sufficient-levels-of-vitamin-d-may-lessen-your-chances-of-getting-covid-19-and 
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3194221/