COVID-19 & Herbs and Supplements

There is a lot of media about what supplements or herbs to take to protect against negative outcomes of COVID-19. But the one that looks to be the most promising is vitamin D.

Research is proving that vitamin D may significantly protects against the negative effects of COVID-19. In a recent study, vitamin D supplementation was able to nearly completely eliminate ICU admissions (from 50% admitted in the control group not taking vitamin D, to 2% in the group being supplemented with vitamin D).
In another study, 80% of those hospitalized for COVID were found to be vitamin D deficient and those with vitamin D levels over 30ng/mL had reduced levels of inflammatory signalling involved in the infamous "cytokine storm."

What should you do about it?
First, remember that vitamin D itself is not protective against COVID-19 itself. It is getting your levels in your body to be sufficient. Sufficiency is over >30ng/mL though there is some research that higher levels are better. More is not better. Vitamin D can become toxic at levels over >70ng/mL. So don't just take vitamin D long term without checking first.

Second, take the right form and with other fat soluble vitamins, both to enhance the synergy of these nutrients and to prevent toxicity. If you haven't been tested, a reasonable dosage is to start at 2-3000 IU of vitamin D3 with vitamin K2 together. (I like QuickSilver Scientific's Liposomal vitamin D3+K2).

Check out my FullScript page here for a great resource on how to purchase the best herbs and supplements available.

Third, note that supplementation is more likely needed by people with darker skin (who are less able to benefit from the sun's natural vitamin D boosting abilities) and anyone during the winter.

Again, don't just take vitamin D long term without getting your levels tested. Because you don't want to take a supplement needlessly and you don't want your levels to be too high. The test you want is 25-OH vitamin D (or 25 hydroxycalciferol).