Doctors call for action to eliminate vitamin D deficiencies to help fight COVID Vitamin D deficiencies are common, especially in people of color and the elderly - who also face higher infection, hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19. (Source: Live 5) By Jamie Landers | February 18, 2021 at 1:36 PM MST - Updated February 18 at 1:36 PM
PHOENIX – Could an over the counter capsule be a key in fighting COVID-19? More doctors say yes, and they’re urging health professionals to help eliminate vitamin D deficiencies – especially in patients of color and others disproportionately affected by the disease.
“Patients, especially patients who are hospitalized for COVID-19, should be given vitamin D supplementation … and it should be fast and aggressive,” said Dr. Vatsal Thakkar, a psychiatrist in Westport, Connecticut, who is one of more than 200 scientists and doctors worldwide pushing for “immediate widespread increased vitamin D intakes.”
Studies link vitamin D deficiencies to severe cases of COVID-19 azpbs.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from azpbs.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In
this Open Letter addressed to key decision makers and health care workers, they lay out the research to recommend Vitamin D intake for adults up to 4000 IU (100mcg) daily. Those at an increased risk of deficiency due to excess weight, dark skin, or living in care homes may need higher intakes. Testing can help to avoid levels too low or high. This common, life-saving vitamin can be found in most local drugstores, grocery stores, and online for little cost. The data strongly suggests that vitamin D is the safest, easiest, and most important anti-pandemic measure the world is failing to prioritize, says Karl Pfleger, Ph.D., biotech investor, former Google data scientist, and one of the organizers of