TORONTO, Ont (October 28, 2020) – Maintaining natural optimal vitamin D levels may be right up there with social distancing and wearing a mask as the most important actions you can take this winter to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, as well as helping your immune system reduce the severity of a case.

That’s the message from new research the vitamin D research community wants Canada to hear on Nov. 2 — the 11^th Annual World Vitamin D Day. An estimated 93 percent of Canadians still have deficient vitamin D levels.

“Research is starting to show the importance of Vitamin D in strengthening your immune system and possibly reducing your risk/severity/death of COVID-19,” says Vitamin D Society Executive Director Perry Holman. “Increasing your daily intake of vitamin D is an action you can take immediately to safeguard your health until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. Many people have deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels. As we celebrate the 11^th anniversary of World Vitamin D Day on Nov. 2, please evaluate your vitamin D intake and increase it to COVID-19 fighting levels.”

Here’s how:

1. Adults need a daily vitamin D intake of 4,000 IU/day (100 mcg) from all sources, according to vitamin D experts. Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, recommends vitamin D to reduce the risk of COVID-19. It was reported that Dr. Fauci takes 6,000 IU/day of vitamin D.
2. Get out in the natural sunlight when the UV Index is above 3 and your shadow is shorter than you. Remember to never sunburn.
3. Consider artificial UVB exposure when natural sunlight is weak or not available and your skin type can receive UV exposure without burning.
4. Increase your food intake of fatty fish such as salmon.
5. Take a vitamin D3 supplement to make up the balance when sun exposure is not available. UVB from sunlight or a sunlamp is what makes vitamin D naturally in your skin.

Vitamin D levels drop naturally during the winter when people are indoors, making you more vulnerable to viruses and infections such as COVID-19, flu and colds. Take action now to ensure your vitamin D intake is 4,000 IU/day. This is an inexpensive insurance package to possibly reduce the risk of or severity of COVID-19.

Here is what new research shows:

• In a US based study of over 190,000 people, researchers found that those people with a deficient vitamin D blood level (below 50 nmol/L or 20 mg/ml) had a 54% higher COVID-19 positivity rate compared with people who had adequate vitamin D levels (75 nmol/L or 30 ng/ml). (Kaufman 2020)

• In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers at the University of Chicago found that patients who had deficient vitamin D blood level (less than 50 nmol/L or 20 ng/ml) had a 77% greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 vs patients who had a sufficient vitamin D status. (Meltzer 2020)

• A small randomized controlled trial (RCT) study completed in Spain found that COVID-19 patients treated with vitamin D were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and less likely to die from COVID-19. The study found that 50% of the patients not receiving vitamin D were admitted to the ICU compared to 2% of the patients receiving vitamin D. Two out of 26 patients who did not receive vitamin D died while none of the 50 vitamin D treated patients died. Some hospitals in Spain are now moving their COVID-19 patients out in the sun to increase their vitamin D. (Castillo 2020)

• An Israeli population-based study of 7,807 individuals found that people with vitamin D levels greater than 75 nmol/L or 30 ng/ml were 50% less likely to be infected with COVID-19 and 95% less likely to be hospitalized. (Merzon 2020)

COVID-19 is teaching the world that the 600 IU/day of vitamin D recommended by many health organizations is not enough for adults. That is the level that is recommended for bone health. You may need up to 10x more than this level to strengthen your immune system and reduce your risk from COVID-19. To reach the optimal vitamin D blood level recommended by 48 vitamin D researchers through GrassrootsHealth of between 100-150 nmol/L (40-60 ng/ml USA) adults will need a daily vitamin D intake of 4,000 IU/day in most cases. In Canada 93% of Canadians are below this level.

You can have your vitamin D blood level checked by your doctor or purchase a home test kit from GrassrootsHealth.net. You should always get your score and make sure you are within the recommended level of between 100-150 nmol/L (40-60 ng/ml USA).

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking that 600 IU/day is enough vitamin D. It’s not! Adults need a vitamin D intake of 4,000 IU/day from all sources. Make sure you have enough for optimal vitamin D levels,” says Holman.

For more information on World Vitamin D Day on November 2^nd, visit our website and help take action to STOP vitamin D deficiency. Please consider sharing one of our graphics from the Tools section on your social media on November 2^nd. Remember to include the hashtag #WorldVitaminDDay.

About the Vitamin D Society:

The Vitamin D Society is a Canadian non-profit group organized to increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency; encourage people to be proactive in protecting their health and have their vitamin D levels tested annually; and help fund valuable vitamin D research. The Vitamin D Society recommends people achieve and maintain optimal 25(OH)D blood levels between 100 – 150 nmol/L (Can) or 40-60 ng/ml (USA).

To learn more about vitamin D, please visit www.vitamindsociety.org

Click here to learn more about Vitamin D Day and find graphics to share on social media.

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