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It is clear that there is no cure-all for Covid-19. However, this does not mean that you cannot protect yourself against a Corona infection. In addition to the now natural wearing of a mask and thorough hand washing, you also have the opportunity to support your own body with vitamin D. In this article we want to show what relevance vitamin D has for our immune system and what it can do specifically against the Corona virus.
Nowadays the media often critizises a “hype around Vitamin D”, which is said to be pushed by the pharmaceutical industry. But there are world-wide independent studies, which concern themselves for decades with Vitamin D and its significance for the entire human body. Particularly in the winter months it is hardly possible in our latitudes to produce enough of the so-called ‘sun vitamin’ in the body in a natural way. This in combination with our changing lifestyle leads to a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. There is a study that was published in the Journal of Health Monitoring in 2016. It showed that vitamin D deficiency in healthy adults in Germany increased by 25-30% between 1997 and 2011. This automatically affects our immune system as well…
Function of vitamin D
Many people know vitamin D as a vitamin for our bones. It helps the body to incorporate calcium and phosphate into the bones and thus helps with bone mineralization. In addition, it also helps with other metabolic processes in the body. Studies have shown that all organs of our body have vitamin D receptors and therefore need it for their own functions. But that is not all. In the body, vitamin D also supports the nervous system, muscles and our cardiovascular system. More on this below. In professional sports it is therefore already standard practice to supplement vitamin D to increase one’s own performance. There are also more and more studies on its role in protection against allergies and autoimmune diseases and as the body’s own antibiotics against viruses and bacteria.
Summary
Vitamin D is more than just a bone vitamin. It supports many parts of our body and is therefore indispensable.
What does Covid-19 do?
But how exactly can it protect us against the corona virus? To answer this question, we first need to take a closer look at how the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 enters the body and what exactly it does there. All our cells have so-called receptors in their membranes. These proteins serve like a lock to the inside of the cells. Both SARS and Covid target the same “lock”, namely the ACE2 receptor. If this receptor were blocked, the corona pathogen would not enter the cell and the person would not become ill. But firstly, the ACE2 receptor cannot be blocked so easily. And secondly, it plays an important role in the human body.
ACE stands for Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. And that already describes its role in the body. ACE1 converts angiotensin (AT) 1 into the more active angiotensin (AT) 2. ACE2, on the other hand, breaks down AT2. The enzymes are thus crucial for our blood pressure regulation. While ACE1 raises blood pressure, ACE2 lowers blood pressure. Simply “switching off” the ACE2 receptors is therefore not an option.
If the corona pathogen now enters the body and attaches itself to the ACE2 receptors, the AT1 will no longer find an “ACE2 parking space”. As a result, blood pressure rises, causing the lungs to collect water. This is known as the “drowning lung” syndrome. Now a vicious circle begins. The resulting lack of oxygen increases blood pressure even more, which further aggravates the problem.
Summary
The coronavirus occupies the so-called ACE2 receptors of our cells. As a result, angiotensins can no longer dock and do their work. Consequently, blood pressure rises unregulated, which leads to water in the lungs. The syndrome of the “drowning lung” sets in.
Vitamin D against Covid-19
This is where vitamin D comes in. Active vitamin D in the system ensures that the activity in the angiotensin system goes down. It stops the production of renin in the body, which results in a drop in blood pressure. The lung damage caused by the ACE2 blockade can thus be alleviated.
Another factor is the role of vitamin D in the formation of cathelicidin and defensin (virus blocker C & D). These are important helpers against viruses and bacteria. In the case of the corona pathogen, they act on the virus in such a way that it can no longer attach to the ACE2 receptors. Defensin can thus prevent an infection even 8 hours after the virus has entered the body.
Vitamin D thus has a double effect. It helps the body to protect itself against the virus and supports it in case of an infection by regulating the blood pressure.
Summary
Vitamin D benefits both after and before an infection. It helps to regulate the blood pressure down again. It also leads to cathelicidin and defensin. These block the virus so that it can no longer connect to the ACE2 receptors.
Possibilities to increase vitamin D levels
But how much vitamin D does a person need for protection? And how can you increase your own vitamin D level? A vitamin D deficiency exists from a level of less than 30 ng/ml (or 75 nmol/ml). The normal value is between 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/ml) and an ideal vitamin D level is around 60-100 ng/ml (150-250 nmol/ml).
The human body produces vitamin D both through food intake and through sunlight. Foods that are rich in vitamin D include fatty sea fish, intestines, edible mushrooms or eggs. However, this contributes only about 10-20% of the total vitamin D production. The remaining 80-90% is produced by the body through exposure to sunlight directly on the skin. The sun’s power is only strong enough from an angle of about 45° to the earth. This can be easily checked by looking at your own shadow. If it is longer than your own height, the crucial UV-B rays will not reach us. Another influencing factor is sun blockers. Already from a sun protection factor of 15, there is no more vitamin D production.
If the above conditions are met, it is sufficient to spend half an hour in the sun about 3-4 times a week. However, at least ¼ of the entire body surface must be exposed. To just put the face and the hands into the sun a little is thus unfortunately not sufficient. And in winter one also walks surely rather reluctantly easily dressed outside.
Another option is to go to a tanning salon 2-3 times per month. Here too the body is exposed to the necessary UV-B rays.
The last option is supplementation via capsules or drops. On average, it can be said that for a person with a body weight of 70kg, an intake of 1,000IE/day leads to 10ng/ml (25 nmol/ml) more. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, an appropriate adjustment must be made depending on body weight. More than 10,000 units per day are generally not recommended. Your general practitioner can inform you about the individually recommended amount to be taken and about an exact measurement of the values in your blood.
Summary
An ideal vitamin D level is about 60-100ng/ml (150-250 nmol/ml). This can be achieved in various ways. Sufficient exposure to the sun, visiting the solarium, or supplementation with capsules or drops. An individual consultation can be carried out by any general practitioner.
Concluding words
In summary it can be said that vitamin D is essential for us. In addition to its many tasks in the body, it also protects us against external aggressors. Particularly in the case of Covid-19, it can both prevent infection and alleviate the symptoms of disease and increase the chances of survival. It does not matter whether you increase your vitamin D level by regular sunbathing or by supplementation.
This article is a concisely put together overview of the findings of both Prof. Dr. Spitz and Dr. van Helden, all presented in German, who both draw upon countless studies conducted world wide regarding Vitamin D and infectious diseases.
In our follow-up article “Vitamin D and Covid-19” we have put together some interesting research on vitamin D and its role in the corona defence with serveral external links. Definitely worth checking out if you want to dive further into the subject.