Taking vitamin D regularly may reduce the severity of COVID-19? The truth is...

After experiencing "Yangguo" and "Yangkang", most people pay more attention to the prevention of the new coronavirus. In addition to vaccines and daily protective measures, what other countermeasures do we have?

Recently, there have been many reports on the relationship between vitamin D and the prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus, and researchers from many countries are eager to try this research topic. Can vitamin D really prevent new coronavirus infection?

01

Good omen: Related research continues to emerge

Is there a correlation between vitamin D levels in the human body and COVID-19 infection?

This discussion started as early as 2021. An editorial published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology in February 2021 cited the conclusions of some small studies at the time and the attitudes of academic researchers towards the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections and even the new coronavirus: There is still insufficient evidence to support that vitamin D supplementation can prevent or treat the new coronavirus, and further research is needed.

Currently, relevant research on this topic is emerging.

According to news from the Mayo Clinic in the United States, a study of 489 people in the United States found that people with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to be infected with the new coronavirus than those with normal vitamin D levels.

Another small randomized study in the U.S. found that among 50 people hospitalized with COVID-19 who took high-dose vitamin D (calcifediol), only one required treatment in an intensive care unit. In contrast, 13 of 26 COVID-19 patients who were not given calcifediol required treatment in an intensive care unit.

In May 2022, a clinical trial conducted by nine medical centers in France (total number of cases n=254) and published literature revealed that among high-risk groups, the mortality rate 14 days after infection with the new coronavirus was significantly lower in the three groups that took high-dose vitamin D orally within 72 hours of infection with the new coronavirus compared with the three groups that took standard-dose vitamin D orally. However, there was no significant difference in the mortality rate at 28 days.

02

Back to reality

More evidence is needed to clarify the answer

Whether vitamin D is effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus is still under research .

Although some research conclusions indicate that the level of vitamin D in the body is correlated with infection with the new coronavirus, to date, there is still a lack of sufficient evidence and clinical trials to prove that vitamin D is clearly effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus , and there is no official agency or authoritative organization that can "officially announce" this matter.

Therefore, as "melon-eating crowds", we can continue to pay attention to the news in this regard, but there is no need to believe everything we hear.

However, parents must pay attention to children's need for vitamin D supplementation !

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03

Why do children need vitamin D supplementation?

Whether vitamin D can prevent COVID-19 depends on scientists’ continued research efforts, but one thing is clear: if you are already supplementing your child with vitamin D, you can continue to do so; if you haven’t started yet, it is recommended that you start supplementing as soon as possible!

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. If the baby is well-nourished, he or she may not need any vitamin supplements. However, it is recommended that breastfed infants take additional vitamin D.

So how old should we be to take vitamin D? Can we get enough sun or take some dietary supplements? Today we will take this opportunity to answer some common questions about vitamin D!

1. When should newborns start taking vitamin D supplements?

According to the "Practical Guidelines for Clinical Issues Related to Vitamin D Nutrition in Chinese Children" released by the Pediatric Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in May 2022, most pregnant women have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, which leads to the inability to provide appropriate amounts of vitamin D to meet the needs of their newborns within 2 weeks after birth.

Therefore, most countries recommend that newborns begin taking vitamin D supplements a few days after birth.

2. What is the dosage of vitamin D supplement for children of different age groups?

The "Practical Guidelines for Clinical Issues Related to Vitamin D Nutrition in Chinese Children" states that vitamin D supplementation is needed from infancy to adolescence, at least 400 international units per day.

3. Can the sun provide vitamin D?

Not recommended.

The conversion efficiency of vitamin D in the skin is very high, and ultraviolet rays can convert 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin into vitamin D.

However, the intake of vitamin D through sun exposure is affected by many factors, including the latitude of the area, cloud thickness, weather/season, time of day, air pollution, skin color, exposed skin area, whether sunscreen is applied, whether there is glass between people, etc., which can affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the actual amount of vitamin D obtained through sun exposure.

More importantly, children's skin is delicate and easily sunburned, and sun exposure itself can cause skin aging and increase the incidence of skin malignancies. It is recommended that infants under 6 months old should avoid direct sunlight. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that excessive sun exposure for infants and young children may increase the incidence of skin cancer in children, so it is recommended that children should try to avoid direct sun exposure (especially excessive exposure to midday sun) and wear sun protection products or apply sunscreen.

In summary, although sunbathing can promote the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, we do not recommend sunbathing to supplement vitamin D given the associated risks of skin cancer. It is certainly okay to take children to sunbathe, not for vitamin D supplementation, but for children to get more exposure to nature and increase outdoor activities.

4. Is it okay to take dietary supplements?

The small amount is not enough.

Few foods (except fish liver) contain vitamin D naturally, and fortified foods usually contain very little.

For example, the amount of vitamin D added to formula milk is about 400 international units/32 ounces (different brands of milk powder vary slightly). This means that approximately 1000 ml of formula milk contains 400 international units of vitamin D.

However, most children do not drink so much milk in a day. Even if the child enters the complementary feeding stage, it is difficult to supplement enough vitamin D through food because of the limited intake.

5. Are vitamin D supplements necessary?

Vitamin D supplements are recommended. The "Chinese Children's Vitamin D Nutrition-Related Clinical Issues Practice Guidelines" recommends that vitamin D3 preparations be used first. Each vitamin D drop contains 400 international units of vitamin D3.

Compared to vitamin D3, vitamin D2 is a plant-derived vitamin D, while vitamin D3 is a vitamin D synthesized by the skin when exposed to sunlight.

Source: Dr. Oxy

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