Readers might be interested in a scientific paper which provides evidence and recommendations for supplementation of vitamin D.
The paper, published late last year by The Royal Society Open Science, presents an argument for vitamin D supplementation for ALL people in the United Kingdom to reduce sickness and death from COVID-19 infection. This recommendation is based on evidence of an association between vitamin D deficiency and increased severity of COVID-19.
Given that vitamin D supplements are generally well-tolerated and relatively inexpensive, this decision seems straightforward in a country such as the UK that has experienced widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and prolonged lockdowns. However, some may argue that in a country such as New Zealand, where COVID-19 is not rampant, that a blanket recommendation is not appropriate. Nevertheless, it would seem prudent to ensure going into winter this year that people who are likely to have low vitamin D levels receive supplementation.
These groups of people include:
Further randomised placebo-controlled trials of Vitamin D in the community are unlikely to be completed until later in 2021, although authors note initial positive results from Spain of a trial of vitamin D3 in hospitalised patients. Supplements are very safe and very cheap and can be obtained either from your GP or your pharmacy. Prevention is better than cure – there seems to be nothing to lose and potentially much to gain. #heretohelp