How to Cut Odds of Severe Covid by 1400 Percent, say Doctors
“We found it remarkable, and striking”
It seems like most of the debate about pandemic safety has revolved around things like masks and vaccines, social distancing and lockdowns.
But there are perhaps even more potent ways to quell the virus.
What we don’t hear a lot about are the basic health and nutritional factors that keep us more safe from viruses in general, including Covid.
For example, obesity was found to be a contributing factor to severe Covid, leading to more than 300 percent higher risk of hospitalization and 142 percent increased risk of severe illness.
But there’s something even more deadly when it comes to Covid…
How much sunlight have you been getting lately? Considering it’s winter in the northern hemisphere, probably not a lot.
So what to do? You may need to add some foods to your menu or grab some supplements to boost your Vitamin D levels.
“We found it remarkable, and striking, to see the difference in the chances of becoming a severe patient when you are lacking in vitamin D compared to when you’re not,” Amiel Dror, MD, the lead study author and a doctor at Galilee Medical Center, told The Times of Israel.
In fact, people who are deficient in vitamin D are 14 times more likely to develop severe Covid — that’s a 1400 percent increase.
Doctor Dror said vitamin D helps people as it boosts “the immune systems to deal with viral pathogens that attack the respiratory system.”
The final product of Vitamin D conversion in the body is considered a hormone which seems to modulate the immune systems.
Patients who were deficient in vitamin D were “14 times more likely to have a severe or critical case of Covid.”
How much to take?
The current daily recommended amount of vitamin D is 600 IU a day for adults under 70, and 800 IU for those older. It’s been shown that up to 4,000 IU a day is generally considered the safe upper limit, yet doses up to 10,000 IU per day haven’t been seen causing toxicity.
Still, there are warnings not to take too much.
Personally, I take 3 softgels (3000 IU) in the morning, 3 at lunch and 3 at bed. I guess that puts me at around 9,000 IU (which is a bit extreme). My wife takes about 6000 IU a day, and sailed through her Covid infection with only some lethargy (she’s boosted too).
In the end, the study “emphasizes the value of everyone taking a vitamin D supplement during the pandemic, which, consumed in sensible amounts in accordance with official advice, doesn’t have any downside,” Dror said.
Foods to boost your vitamin D levels include:
Cod liver oil
Fortified cereals
Salmon
Swordfish
Tuna fish
Sardines
Egg yolk
Orange juice fortified with vitamin D
Dairy and plant milks fortified with vitamin D
Add sun ☀️
Getting out in the sun is the most natural way to get your vitamin D. To maintain good levels, aim for 10–30 minutes of direct sunlight a few times a week.
People with darker complexions may need more. How much sunlight you get should also depend on how sensitive your skin is to UV rays.
It is Time to Evolve our Outlook?
As the pandemic hopefully nears the end, there are still heated debates concerning the best ways to remain safe. While tactics such as lockdowns have been shown to cause more harm than good, perhaps it’s time we put the spotlight on wellness when it comes to safety.
After all, there’s really no fringe benefits from wearing a mask all the time, but there’s a huge deal of good that comes from improving our overall health.
P.S. first of all, you should get my posts in your inbox here! Second, if you’re not a Medium member yet, jump in! You’ll get access to so many great writers, all my articles, and who knows, maybe you’ll start writing too! Start here!
Standard medical disclaimer: the statements on this page should not be construed as dispensing medical advice and/or making medical claims regarding the cure or prevention of diseases. You should consult a licensed health care professional before making any medical decisions, including starting any supplement or dietary program. None of the statements on this web page have been evaluated by the FDA and none of the statements on this page should be construed as dispensing medical advice and/or making claims regarding the cure of diseases.