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Cut vitamin D deficiency to boost immunity and improve Covid 19 outcomes
Anne T.
started this petition to
All governments
We call for all governments to urgently cut vitamin D deficiency.
This will boost immunity to help people fight COVID-19.
Vitamin D deficiency is a very serious global health problem. It has been known for many years that vitamin D has beneficial effects in immunity. In past pandemics such as the 1918 'flu pandemic some patients were placed in
the sun which will have boosted their vitamin D levels and benefited from better
outcomes. Studies have shown that taking daily or weekly vitamin D supplements to reduce deficiency significantly reduces the frequency and severity of respiratory infections, so it was likely that this might help in COVID-19[i]. Strong evidence for this is now emerging[ii]. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is known to have a number of other health benefits, including bone density.
People from black and ethnic minority communities living away from the equator are much more likely to be severely vitamin D deficient than people whose skin has evolved to be adapted to less sunny climates. It is heart breaking to see that so many doctors, nurses and other health workers who are dying from COVID-19 in the UK have had darker skins[iii]. In the US these communities are over-represented amongst cases with severe disease and deaths. 40% of COVID-19 deaths in Stockholm are of Somalis, yet they represent less than 1% of the
population. The most likely explanation for this is that their higher levels of skin melanin make it harder for them to make vitamin D in their skin leading to significant vitamin D deficiency and reducing the effectiveness of their immune system[iv].
We are concerned that the message in many countries to stay inside will actually make vitamin D deficiency rates worse.
We ask that all governments urge people to spend time in the sun in their gardens, or when exercising nearby with appropriate social distancing to boost their vitamin D levels. They should avoid sun burn. We also strongly urge governments to provide free vitamin D supplements to all. These should be given first to the highest risk groups: health and care workers, people with dark skin types, older people, obese, and those with underlying health conditions. A safe upper limit is 4000 IU daily, less for children.
More information can be found on this website https://scotsneedvitamind.com/covid-19/
[i] https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583
[ii] http://www.drdavidgrimes.com/2020/04/vitamin-d-and-doctors-in-uk-dying-from.html
[iii] https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.
[iv] https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m810/rr-46
This will boost immunity to help people fight COVID-19.
Vitamin D deficiency is a very serious global health problem. It has been known for many years that vitamin D has beneficial effects in immunity. In past pandemics such as the 1918 'flu pandemic some patients were placed in
the sun which will have boosted their vitamin D levels and benefited from better
outcomes. Studies have shown that taking daily or weekly vitamin D supplements to reduce deficiency significantly reduces the frequency and severity of respiratory infections, so it was likely that this might help in COVID-19[i]. Strong evidence for this is now emerging[ii]. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is known to have a number of other health benefits, including bone density.
People from black and ethnic minority communities living away from the equator are much more likely to be severely vitamin D deficient than people whose skin has evolved to be adapted to less sunny climates. It is heart breaking to see that so many doctors, nurses and other health workers who are dying from COVID-19 in the UK have had darker skins[iii]. In the US these communities are over-represented amongst cases with severe disease and deaths. 40% of COVID-19 deaths in Stockholm are of Somalis, yet they represent less than 1% of the
population. The most likely explanation for this is that their higher levels of skin melanin make it harder for them to make vitamin D in their skin leading to significant vitamin D deficiency and reducing the effectiveness of their immune system[iv].
We are concerned that the message in many countries to stay inside will actually make vitamin D deficiency rates worse.
We ask that all governments urge people to spend time in the sun in their gardens, or when exercising nearby with appropriate social distancing to boost their vitamin D levels. They should avoid sun burn. We also strongly urge governments to provide free vitamin D supplements to all. These should be given first to the highest risk groups: health and care workers, people with dark skin types, older people, obese, and those with underlying health conditions. A safe upper limit is 4000 IU daily, less for children.
More information can be found on this website https://scotsneedvitamind.com/covid-19/
[i] https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583
[ii] http://www.drdavidgrimes.com/2020/04/vitamin-d-and-doctors-in-uk-dying-from.html
[iii] https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.
[iv] https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m810/rr-46
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