Did You Know: Vitamin D Deters Covid-19

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Did You Know - Vitamin D Deters Covid-19

The world has been in the frightening grip of the Covid-19 virus for almost two years now. We’ve tried many potential solutions to the problem and taken a lot of steps to eradicate it. We’ve had national and local lockdowns, physical distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks, and vaccines. But did you know that there is a solution a lot more accessible to all? Vitamin D helps combat Covid-19.

You read that right. Vitamin D helps reduce the risk of acquiring the virus. So let’s get into the details of this momentous truth.

Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health

Vitamin D has a hand in many functions of the human body. For example, it plays a part in bone health. The body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for skeletal health. Aside from bone health, vitamin D also plays a part in the human sleeping cycle and energy production. It also encourages happiness and good mental health.

But perhaps the most significant part of vitamin D concerning the Covid-19 virus is its contribution to the human immune system.

Vitamin D Supports the Immune System

According to the National Institute of Health, the body converts vitamin D into a hormone called calcitriol. Calcitriol Calcitriol affects more than 1200 genes.

Vitamin D reduces the risk of dying from cancer and eliminates the threat from about 90 other serious health problems.

Vitamin D Kills Covid-19

Vitamin D activates the immune system’s T cells. In fact, without vitamin D, the body is vulnerable because its immune system will not work as it’s supposed to function.

What is the Killer T Cell?

What is the killer T cell, and what does it do? T cells are a type of white blood cell that functions similarly to the special forces of an army. They attack a special kind of virus that hurts the body.

There are two kinds of T cells: helper T cells and killer T cells. The killer T cells attack the virus or infection while the helper T cells coordinate the attack.

The killer T cells seek and destroy the infected cells in the body (which will turn into virus-making cells). When the killer T cell identifies a virus with the help of antigens, it kills that virus.

Lack of vitamin D leaves a lot of killer T cells dormant and useless. Without enough vitamin D in your system, you are leaving your body vulnerable to sickness and infections.

The Links Between Vitamin D and Covid-19

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia researchers in the UK saw that vitamin D deficiency is a common attribute of most Covid-19 deaths. Furthermore, researchers in Indonesia identified about 98.9% of those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and died were vitamin D deficient.

Lastly, Northwestern University concluded that sufficient blood levels of vitamin D do three things. The first is adequate vitamin D in your system reduces the risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus. The second effect of vitamin D is that it reduces the risk of a severe case if you happen to contract the virus. The last result is that the vitamin reduces the risk of death from the disease.

Getting Enough Vitamin D

What is the right amount of vitamin D? There is much talk about how too much vitamin D is dangerous. But the truth is that it is complicated to have too much of the vitamin in your system.

The bigger problem is vitamin D deficiency. Experts estimate that a billion of the world population is vitamin D deficient. In the United States, more than 40% of the adult population lacks vitamin D. There are many reasons for this problem. For example, dermatologists discourage sun exposure, and our sedentary lifestyle makes us spend too much time indoors. So, how do we get enough vitamin D and combat diseases and infections such as the Covid-19 virus?

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is the most natural way of receiving enough vitamin D. Seniors in particular need sun exposure and vitamin D because their bodies can’t process as much vitamin D as they used to in their youth.

Experts suggest 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week, of sun exposure for seniors with a light complexion. For seniors with darker skin, about 15 to 30 minutes is advisable. Seniors should get their dose of sunlight in the morning when the sun’s rays are not too powerful nor damaging.

Supplements

Another way you can get enough vitamin D is through supplements. Supplements should not replace sun exposure, however. Supplements can’t give you enough vitamin D as the sun can. We suggest taking supplements during the winter months when the effect of sun exposure is not as potent.

Diet

Another way you can receive vitamin D is through the proper diet. For example, fatty fish, egg yolk, cod liver oil, beef liver, and cheese are rich in vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D Toxicity

Can you get too much vitamin D? Technically, yes, you can. But that is a sporadic disease. Experts say that you will only suffer vitamin D toxicity when you take more than 50,000 (or even 1,000,000) units of vitamin D per day for an extended period. To get that much vitamin D, you have to expose yourself to the sun for two and ½ hours every day.

Get Enough Vitamin D and Combat Covid-19

So, in summary, vitamin D is a crucial part of the immune system. It helps fight diseases and infections. Conversely, vitamin D deficiency leaves the body vulnerable to diseases, a common attribute of Covid-19 deaths.

There are three steps you can take to get enough vitamin D. The first is enough sun exposure. The next step is through supplements. And lastly, a healthy diet helps you ingest vitamin D.

Although vitamin D toxicity is a real thing, it is infrequent and difficult to acquire.

If, as a senior, you need help getting enough vitamin D, avail of the Infinite Love Homecare services. We provide meal preparations, medication reminders, transportation, mobility, and companionship services.

Reach out to Infinite Love Homecare today through our Contact us page and get a free consultation. You can also try calling us (949)-529-4130.

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