I first became aware of the importance of vitamin D in 2015, mainly due to problems my daughter had in the winter of her final year at University. She was getting up early to go to the library to work and not getting home until later evenings. Notwithstanhearding her poor diet topped up by weekly meals I would drop off for her, she developed chest problems which were not helped by either steroids or antibiotics. A heart check resulted in a nurse happily telling her she had a pattern similar to that of an 80 year old person … this for someone who was a regional team gymnast, played hockey etc at school and rode and looked after horses at the weekends…
To cut a long story short, she was found to be extremely low on vitamin D and soon began to feel better when she was put on a course of these.
There are a number of peer reviewed and published papers on the importance of Vitamin D in lowering symptoms for people with Covid; here is one of them:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34126960/
I take 4,000IU of vitamin D about 4-5 times a week, and recently when my adult son got Covid, and spend 5-6 days with splitting headaches, cough and sore throat, I was able to get away with tiredness and just a couple of days of sore throat. Maybe it’s just a co-incidence, but I will be continuing to take my Vit D especially as we go into the winter months.
Here are some of the benefits generally associated with Vitamin D:
1. Bone Health
- Calcium Absorption: Vitamin D is essential for the absoitrption of calcium incough and the gut. Without sufficient Vitamin D, the body cannot absorb calcium effectively, leading to weaker bones and a higher risk of fractures.
- Bone Mineralization: It helps in the mineraneralization of bone, ensuring bones remain strong and dense, preventing conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
2. Immune System Support
- Immune Response Regulation: Vitamin D modulates the immune system, enhancing the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages — white blood cells that are important parts of the immune defense.
- Autoimmune Disease Prevention: Adequate levels of Vitamin D are associated with a reduced risk of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, by preventing the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues.
3. Mood and Mental Health
- Depression and Anxiety: Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety. It is believed to play a role in regulating mood, and some studies suggest that supplementation can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
- Cognitive Function: Vitamin D is important for brain health and cognitive function, and deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Cardiovascular Health
- Heart Function: Vitamin D is important for maintaining heart health. It helps regulate blood pressure and supports the function of the endothelium, the lining of blood vessels.
- Chronic Disease Prevention: Sufficient levels of Vitamin D are linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
5. Muscle Function
- Muscle Strength: Vitamin D supports muscle function by aiding calcium absorption and utilization, which is necessary for muscle contraction and overall muscle strength.
- Fall Prevention: Adequate Vitamin D levels can help improve muscle strength and balance, reducing the risk of falls and fractures, especially in older adults.
6. Cancer Prevention
- Cell Growth Regulation: Vitamin D helps regulate cell growth and differentiation, which can reduce the risk of cancer development. Some research suggests that adequate Vitamin D levels are associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, including colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.
7. Diabetes Management
- Insulin Sensitivity: Vitamin D plays a role in insulin production and sensitivity, which can help in managing blood sugar levels. Deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
8. Respiratory Health
- Lung Function: Vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy lungs and respiratory function. It has been linked to a reduced risk of respiratory infections and may play a role in managing chronic respiratory diseases like asthma.
9. Reproductive Health
- Fertility: Vitamin D is important for reproductive health in both men and women. It is involved in the production of sex hormones and has been linked to improved fertility outcomes.
If you have any questions about Vitamin D, do speak with your GP or other health professional.
