It’s very encouraging to see research like this being published in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic: Vitamin D Supplementation Could Possibly Improve Clinical Outcomes of Patients Infected with Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-2019)
Serum 25(OH)D level was lowest in critical cases, but highest in mild cases. Serum 25(OH)D levels were statistically significant among clinical outcomes.
The results suggest that an increase in serum 25(OH)D level in the body could either improve clinical outcomes or mitigate worst (severe to critical) outcomes, while a decrease in serum 25(OH)D level in the body could worsen clinical outcomes of COVID-2019 patients.
In other words, lower levels of vitamin D were associated with more severe symptoms and higher levels were associated with less severe symptoms. The role of vitamin D in immunity has been long understood and is summarized in the paper as follows:
Vitamin D has been proven to reduce risk of getting a common cold. It also enhances cellular immunity, modulates adaptive immunity, and enhances expression of antioxidation-related genes.
There are a few aspects I’d like to highlight: it was not a peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial but rather a retrospective study (looking back on past events) submitted as a research letter; it was a small study of 212 cases and they were all confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vitamin D status was based on serum 25(OH)D levels of “(1) normal -25(OH)D of >30 ng/ml, (2) insufficient-25(OH)D of 21-29ng/ml, and (3) deficient-25(OH)D of < 20 ng/ml,” with tests done every 7 days.
What is astounding to me is that such a small difference in vitamin D levels could have such a dramatic impact on severity of symptoms i.e. from a median of 31.2 ng/ml to 17.1 ng/ml:
- mild – mild clinical features without pneumonia diagnosis: serum 25(OH)D level was 31.2 ng/ml
- ordinary – confirmed pneumonia with fever and other respiratory symptoms: serum 25(OH)D level was 27.4 ng/ml
- severe – hypoxia (at most 93% oxygen saturation) and respiratory distress: serum 25(OH)D level was 21.2 ng/ml
- critical – respiratory failure requiring intensive case monitoring: serum 25(OH)D level was 17.1 ng/ml.
The author concludes as follows, recommending randomized controlled trials and large population studies:
… this study provides substantial information to clinicians and health policy-makers. Vitamin D supplementation could possibly improve clinical outcomes of patients infected with COVID-2019. Further research should conduct randomized controlled trials and large population studies to evaluate this recommendation.
I would really like to acknowledge the author, Dr. Mark Apilio, for taking the time to gather this information and submit this research in the midst of the pandemic, so we can all learn and further our knowledge.
I reached out to him to find out more about his interest in vitamin D. I was also curious to find out if vitamin D levels are routinely checked in the Philippines and if vitamin D supplementation recommendations are common practice. I received this feedback:
I am a clinical professor with experience in handling patients with infection. In times like this, academicians in the Philippines are driven to finding therapeutic drugs for Covid-19 or palliative drugs, at least. Also with other experts’ advice, Vit D could be a good topic to research using clinical outcomes of the Covid-19 patients.
Vitamin D supplementation in the Philippines is uncommon since most of the Filipinos believe that they could get Vit D easily because of the sun (country near the equator). However, Vit D test is common for patients with severe respiratory infections for monitoring of status. Based on the table [in the review letter], mean ± SD was used to report serum 25(OH)D level of the cases. I am happy with the results of the study and the support of Vit D advocates like you. I do hope this shall serve as a call for health officials to at least focus on something like this which could impact clinical outcomes of Covid-19 patients.
Keep in mind that low vitamin D is also a factor when it comes to mental health and anxiety. You can read more about this aspect here – Vitamin D: anxiety, depression, sun exposure, supplements and optimal levels. This blog also has additional information about testing and optimal ranges from the Vitamin D Council.
I really like these two Designs for Health products: Vitamin D Synergy which provides Vitamin D3 2000 IU and vitamin K1; and Vitamin D Supreme which provides Vitamin D3 5000 IU and vitamin K1/K2. Both can be purchased via my online supplement store (details on setting up an account here).
Vitamin D is such a simple and yet powerful intervention for immune support and I look forward to randomized controlled trials for coronavirus. In the meantime, it’s one of the many immune-supportive nutrients I plan to continue using and recommending to my clients.
UPDATES 5/1/2020:
I’m sharing some updates to last week’s blog on vitamin D and coronavirus because there is a brand new study with astounding results and some other supporting vitamin D papers. There is also new research on vitamin K and coronavirus and I’ve added this one too. I did hear back from the author in the Philippines and added his feedback above.
This is the new paper with astounding results. It was a retrospective cohort study: Patterns of COVID-19 Mortality and Vitamin D: An Indonesian Study (and just posted April 26). It had 780 cases with laboratory-confirmed infection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia:
Age, sex, co-morbidity, Vitamin D status, and disease outcome (mortality) were extracted from electronic medical records. The aim was to determine patterns of mortality and associated factors, with a special focus on Vitamin D status. Results revealed that the majority of the death cases were male and older and had pre-existing conditions and below normal Vitamin D serum level.
These are the astounding results:
- Vitamin D deficient cases (serum 25(OH)D of < 20 ng/ml) were approximately 19.12 times more likely to die from the disease
- Vitamin D insufficient cases (serum 25(OH)D of 21 – 29 ng/ml) were approximately 12.55 times more likely to die from the disease
This review paper, Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths published earlier in April makes these recommendations about dosages and vitamin D levels to aim for (pending additional research):
To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d. The goal should be to raise 25(OH)D concentrations above 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L). For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin D3 doses might be useful. Randomized controlled trials and large population studies should be conducted to evaluate these recommendations.
In this paper (not yet peer-reviewed), Reduced Vitamin K Status as A Potentially Modifiable Prognostic Risk Factor in COVID19, the authors report that vitamin K status – according to Dp-ucMGP levels – was reduced in patients with COVID-19 and related to poor prognosis.”
They state this is due to the fact that “Coagulation is an intricate balance between clot promoting and dissolving processes in which vitamin K plays a well-known role.” They also propose an intervention trial with vitamin K for patients with COVID-19.
Do share if you routinely get your vitamin D levels checked and supplement regularly with vitamin D. And let us know if you’ve noticed an improved immune system when your vitamin D levels are optimal. If you did get the virus please also let us know how you’ve fared and recovered.
I started taking capsules of vit d, high strength about 3 years ago. I was 27 and now 52ng. Never had a cold or flu ever since and always had at least 1 cold per winter beforehand,
Amanda
Thanks for sharing – so glad to hear! How much do you take and how often do you retest levels?
Hi Trudy
Thank you for the amazing articles you publish and the attention you give to your readers. You work tirelessly to serve your community and subscribing is a conscious choice I make because I trust your balanced approach to health.
Thank you
Jane
Jane
Thanks for your kind words!
Where do you live that you already are harvesting lavender from your garden?
Rose
Just outside Sydney, Australia. The picture I shared in my newsletter of me holding the bunch of lavender is actually from last year 🙂
My vit D levels were consistently low for years. I also consistently forgot or neglected to supplement. My immune system and energy levels were pretty poor. I finally started supplementing with 5000 IU’s of D (daily) in January this year and in a matter of a day or 2 i felt totally different/better. I’ve been supplementing ever since all thru this pandemic and feel fine.
Steve
Thanks for sharing – so glad to hear! Be sure to get regular vitamin D testing to make sure it doesn’t get too high.
I don’t believe I’ve ever had my vitamin D level checked until recently (3/20). It was 27 ng/ml and the lab’s reference range was >= 30 ng/ml. (From the same blood test, I was also given a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis due to elevated antithyroglobulin antibiodies and decreased free T3. Low serum vitamin D is associated with antithyroglobulin antibodies in women. ) My conventional doc prescribed 2000 IU of D3/day as a supplement. I took the blood test result to my functional doc who increased the dosage of D3 to 10,000 IU/day in the light of the Hashimoto’s and said the desired range of D3 should be 60-80 ng/ml. The functional doc’s preferred D3 supplement is called Bio-D-Mulsion Forte from Biotics Research. It’s emulsified vitamin D3 in sesame oil for better absorption, since D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It’s 2000 IU/drop and I take 5 drops in a little water with a meal that has some fat.
Anne
Glad to hear your doctors are testing and monitoring your vitamin D levels. The Biotics Research product is a good one!
Thank you, Trudy, for all this great info!!
Anne
You are most welcome!
Thank you for this information! A few other holistic and integrative doctors I follow have actually said to stop taking vitamins A and D during this pandemic because they upregulate Ace2 receptors, which is not good for the caronavirus. What are your thoughts on that theory?
Aly
I did see one article about not taking vitamin D but I’ve since seen others disputing this theory. Could you please share the articles you have read and I’ll try to address them when I update this blog with some additional studies related to vitamin D. We clearly have much to learn and nothing is for certain until we have randomized peer-reviewed studies.
Trudy,
There was a webinar on Thursday this week from Bioconcepts with Henry Osiecki advising supplementing with Vitamin A, D, C, Zinc and Fish Oil for their anti-clotting properties in Covid-19 infections.
Trudy, you may be interested in testing I have had recently. I have taken vitamin D3 5000IU/d+K2 360ug/d for 4 months to increase vitamin D levels after a marked decrease in levels from 79-60nmol/L whilst supplementing with 4000IU of D3.
Subsequent testing showed 100nmol/L following the 4 months treatment.
Elaine
Thanks for sharing your vitamin D levels and results after supplementing. Levels fluctuate by the seasons so more frequent testing is valuable until you figure out what works for you based on where you live. Levels vary by season (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512566/) and also by factors such as humidity (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21717408). Other factors play a role too – sunscreen use, skin color, digestion, illnesses etc (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21384086)
Aly
I just posted this for Sue. We just don’t know for sure but I until we see studies confirming this potential, I feel we have to go with what we do know. Other than the papers I mention here, IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine) and a number of my colleagues (Dr. Elisa Song, Dr. David Brady, Dr. Jill Carnahan, Dr. Lindsey Berkson, Dr Kara Fitzgerald and many others) are also in favor of vitamin D supplementation at this time.
That being said, they do all support vitamin C for everyone and I feel differently about this, given it’s adverse effects on those with dietary oxalate issues.
Please share links to what you have read about this. I believe this potential was put forward by Chris Masterjohn but I don’t see anything online when I search?
Hi Trudy,
Thank you for all the work you do and sharing it with us, including that article regarding
Vitamin D.
In terms of that study of Vitamin D, the study is too small.
We do not know if the vitamin D became deficient before or after the Covid.
Did the virus increase because there was vit D deficiency or did the virus make it deficient?
This virus is different than the flu as it turns out. covid 19 directly puts its RNA into the host cell’s specific protein that procreates it. The other RNA virus (e.g. flu) from what I understand puts its RNA into the host’s DNA which then in turn coverts and then sends to host’s protein that procreates the virus. So with this virus, it goes straight and by passes (unlike other viruses).
I bring this up, wondering if that particular difference may or may not relate to the issue of vitamin D?
I agree with you that it is not randomized, and that is an important
feature of studies.
I can see people buying in bulk Vitamin D if they feel that it will stave off or minimize this particular virus.
Or it can be that the virus attacks Vit D as well as other minerals and vitamins as
well thereby deficiency occurs.
In any rate, having good healthy levels of vitamin D will help the body address any other health issues, and thereby lighten the load — regardless it helps minimize covid 19 or not.
Trudy, have there been other studies or studies that comply
all the little studies to see if there is a pattern with regards to vitamin D?
Thank you for your time. Looking forward to thoughts about this.
Blessings to your work and caring.
DG
You raise good points about it being a small study and whether the virus impacted vitamin D levels. We clearly have much to learn. I will be updating this blog with some additional studies related to vitamin D so stay tuned.
This was a great read, thank you Trudy! I have three daughters and between the four of us, 2 have autoimmune disease and the other two tend to have a little more anxiety and on occasion panic usually brought on by needles. We have been building our support protocol and our “what if” protocol to guide us through the different stages should we need it. At this point I’m only choosing about 3 pandemic emails to read a day as it can get overwhelming at times. I have heard of a few people I know with clotting but have missed any reference to it in the emails I’ve been reading so glad to have read this one today. I have my vitamin D checked once a year usually in January, but now I think I’ll change that to just before flu season. How many times a year do you recommend? The information on brands you trust is very helpful, you have enlightened my day!
Mel
I agree it can certainly get overwhelming! Glad you enjoyed this and the reference to clotting. I hope to share more on this once a colleague does a writeup as it’s out of my scope of practice.
Vitamin D varies seasonally and by location and also based on humidity levels, genetics, digestion, stress etc so I like to see testing at least 4 times a year initially (especially if it’s really low to start) and then twice a year once we figure out the variations for each person.
I did get the virus but Jesus Christ healed me.
AMEN!! Praise God!! So happy to hear! HE deserves all the credit!! God bless you!!
Correlation is not causation. While I think it’s important to maintain optimal vitamin D levels, those who fare worst with COVID probably have a host of other factors that contribute to the severity of the disease, and perhaps their vitamin D levels.
Mary Anne
I agree correlation is not causation and we need additional research. I also agree that it’s more than only low levels of vitamin D for many individuals. But this does appear to have a great deal of promise without side-effects and we certainly need that right now.
Here is an article with links to other studies… but no matter the studies I stick with what I know to work in my body. I used to get any cold my kids or spouse brought home and it would always go into my lungs. I’ve had pneumonia 4 times. About 12 years ago I had my levels tested and was at 11. Dr was afraid I was headed for colon cancer or worse so put me on 10,000 a day drops .. took 6 months to get it up into the 30s… if I’d been taking it w/ K and magnesium it probably would have happened sooner… now it’s usually in 40s during the winter but I can say I have not had a single upper respiratory illness since. If I feel something coming on I do a loading dose of 50,000 units, along w/ C, A, astragalus, Oscillococcinum , umcka and elderberry and continue with Vit D every few hrs… along with hot baths and extra sleep and that’s the end of it….
https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2020/04/07/Could-vitamin-D-play-a-role-in-coronavirus-resistance#
Heather
Wonderful results – thanks for sharing (the loading dose approach does seem to be very effective) and this article.
Trudy,
These papers are killer! Thank you so much for posting them. The message that vitamin supplementation (something that doctors hate hearing about) has statistically significant impacts on outcomes is amazing. Thousand dollar a dose anti-virals may not actually be necessary. Not what Pharma wants the public to know…
The good news keeps coming in. I just read the abstract for a study that determined that Type 2 Diabetes patients with COVID-19 and good glycemic control had markedly lower mortality than those with poor control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2020.04.021
Commonsense health matters!
David
Yes imagine that – addressing nutritional deficiencies like low levels of vitamin D as part of the solution!
Thanks for sharing the Type 2 Diabetes paper – so powerful!
We do need to work on the basics
You recommended 2 Vitamin D supplements, but in creating an account, they are still restricted access?
Julie
My apologies – there is some snarfu with Fullscript and Designs for Health we are in the process of resolving. It should be fine by next week
Hi Trudy
Keen for your insight on the following …
I’ve read that one thing that vitamin D may have the potential to do is increase ACE2 expression, and ACE2 is the same receptor to which coronavirus binds. It’s the “entry point,” how it gets in and starts destroying cells. Organs with high rates of ACE2 receptors, like the lungs, appear to be the most affected organs. If vitamin D increases ACE2 in the lungs, for example, that could leave you more open to infection.
Sue
We just don’t know for sure but I until we see studies confirming this potential, I feel we have to go with what we do know. Other than the papers I mention here, IFM (Institute of Functional Medicine) and a number of my colleagues (Dr. Elisa Song, Dr. David Brady, Dr. Jill Carnahan, Dr. Lindsey Berkson, Dr Kara Fitzgerald and many others) are also in favor of vitamin D supplementation at this time.
That being said, they do all support vitamin C for everyone and I feel differently about this, given it’s adverse effects on those with dietary oxalate issues.
Please share links to what you have read about vitamin D increasing ACE2 expression and leaving you more open to infection. I believe this potential was put forward by Chris Masterjohn but I don’t see anything online when I search?
Oh, Gosh! All numbers are overblown! Where is this virus really? Fake news! Fake numbers! Fake everything! Every hospital is full of coverups! Every dead patient is written off as “died from corona virus”! BS! It is hot outside already and the virus dies above 27 degress C, so stop this madness! It is because of YOU our beaches are closed and people are forced to breath in bad air inside their masks! Start spreading the word that this virus is FAKE! Read David Icke for once and yes, conspiracy theories ARE true! Educate yourself and your readers!
I respectfully disagree with your comment. The information I share is based on science. I also happen to have first hand information from colleagues and friends living and working in areas that have had high numbers of cases and deaths.
I also ask that if you are going to post on my blog you do so politely. And to keep an open mind.
Great article. I do take vit D and K. I do not get sick. If I forget it for some time, I notice a sore throat. Back on the D, no more soar throat. I also take a number of other supplements for immunity: A, elderberry extract, zinc, C, selenium, licorice root extract, pregnenolone, and a probiotic. My daily D3 intake is 25,000iu. I also take a few others, but for other reasons. I do this, and I never get sick.
I appreciate your efforts, especially the peer reviewed ones, and one with promise, yet to be reviewed. I expect it to be well received. There is considerable dialogue by doctors on the synergistic effects of D3 with K.
Alan
Thanks for sharing your results. How often do you test your vitamin D levels and did you arrive at 25,000 IU/day based on prior test results? I’m also curious to learn the latitude you live at?
Hi Trudy
I used to get bad bronchitis 2 or 3 times in winter. I seriously upped my vit D level, first with 10 000 iu a day now with 5 000 iu a day plus vit K2 and I am stable at 90 ng/ml. I’ve had no bronchitis for 2 years and I don’t get the flu vaccine (I’m 70). My husband has a heart problem and won’t take my advice to get off or seriously reduce statins, and I’ve got him on 5 000 ius a day too. He can’t take K2 because of his heart meds. I get tested every year or two years. My old parents were at 6 ng and 16 ng with health problems and that’s what galvanised me into taking an interest in D3. The doctors here pay no attention to it. I also usually take 600 mg of curcumine a day, but I stopped because it is said to have an negative interaction with covid19. Thank you for your inputs.
Patricia
Wonderful and thanks for sharing your vitamin D results. Keep setting an example for your husband and planting seeds. As you probably already know, vitamin D is good for the heart too (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851242/)
I have to supplement my Vitamin D because I have a particular genetic mutation that prevents me from synthesizing it from sunlight. In order to bring my vitamin D level up to an acceptable level, I started with a vitamin D dose of 10,000 IU and eventually transitioned to 5,000 IU.
I currently take the Bulletproof brand of A-D-K vitamin supplement (A-900 mcg, D3-5,000 IU, K1-1,000mcg, K2- 1,800 mcg: 1,500mcg as MK-4 and 300mcg as MK-7).
I don’t know if it’s the supplements, my probiotics, drinking bone broth, eating a paleo/keto diet, getting an annual flu shot, or all of the above, but I rarely get sick and when I do, it’s usually pretty mild and I recover quickly. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I got sick from the cold or flu.
Janet
Thanks for sharing and glad to hear. I do have additional concerns about the flu shot after reading this paper: “Vaccine derived virus interference was significantly associated with coronavirus and human metapneumovirus” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X19313647?via%3Dihub
Having read the report, it doesn’t seem to be a significant concern. “The overall results of the study showed little to no evidence supporting the association of virus interference and influenza vaccination. Individual respiratory virus results were mixed, and some rebutted virus interference. Additionally those receiving the influenza vaccine were more likely to have no pathogen detected and reduced risk of influenza when compared to unvaccinated individuals.”
Hello Trudy— I know I’m not posting this in the right place. I’m just not sure how to get a message to you…
Thank you for all of the life changing information from your blog and your book (which I’ve read through 3 times, with many highlights and notes!). I have been following your diet/supplement suggestions for 2 weeks now and I can not explain the world of difference I feel—- I feel like my old self, maybe even better!!
My questions is about the connection with low serotonin and scoliosis…..do you have any guidance on this? I have scoliosis and recently it seems to be getting worse. I have been trying to find some information on it and I keep seeing info with a link between neurotransmitters and scoliosis.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you so much in advance for your time!
Amanda
Amanda
Love this: “I can not explain the world of difference I feel—- I feel like my old self, maybe even better!!”- I’m thrilled to hear this! Tell us more – how did you feel before and what changes have you made?
Yes, these are a number of studies connecting low serotonin (and other neurotransmitter imbalances) with scoliosis. Here is one https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847876/ that talks about elevated histamine and norepinephrine and low serotonin. No matter what the diagnosis I have clients do the amino acid questionnaire and trials of the respective amino acids – like tryptophan or 5-HTP if serotonin is low. What symptoms do you still have?
I appreciate this post on the benefits of Vitamin D supplementation. Since I began supplementing with Vit D ten years ago, I have not had a cold, let alone flu. It has been suggested that for every 1,000 iU of Vit D, one should also take 90-100 mcg Vit K (because Vit D ‘liberates’ calcium in the blood, and instead of it then lining blood vessels, Vit K sees to it that the calcium goes to bones, hair, nails .) I strive to maintain around 50 ng/mL and get tested yearly. So thankful also for the Vitamin D Council and Dr. Mercola’s website with excellent information on how to achieve a healthy state. I will be 76 years old shortly and do not require any medications. I do have to discipline myself to stay active physically as I know that one cannot expect to be well without moving the body.
Barbara
Thanks for sharing your wonderful results and this additional information!
I decided to do some research based on comments about worse outcomes for Vitamin D [I’ve only known of positive ones for various diseases]. I came across this article that may possibly be related to variability in response based on genetics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X04007065
It looks at ACE-II and ACE-DD variants and the difference in cellular response relating to longevity and disease. The ACE-II, which has better outcomes than the DD variant, expresses several stem cell maintenance factors including “klotho”. Klotho plays a role in ion and vitamin D homeostasis although the function is not completely elucidated according to this 2004 publication.
To answer your question about vitamin D, personally I found my D was very low [12] after thyroid surgery but I was too sensitive to the 50,000 dose so started at 1000 IU /day to get into the 20’s [the goal of that doctor at the time] which worked for a year and then dropped again so went to 2000 IU/day which got me into the 20’s for a couple of years and then dropped again. I now have a doctor who agrees the ideal is 60-80. I was on 5000IU/day for years and generally in the 30-40 range. I am on 5,000IU most days with the occasional 10,000 day mixed in once or twice a week and at last check my D was good. I am also on a prescription calcitriol form of D. When my D was in the teens I felt awful. The difference between the 40’s and 60’s I do not notice.
Thank you for your research!
Hi Trudy, i receive many mails in my inbox from health guru’s. Yours is about the only ones i consistently open and read. Keep going,please!
Question: I take vit D3 for bone density. Will that do for the immunity as well?
Therese
Thank you so much for that lovely feedback! Optimal levels of vitamin D have benefits for bone health and improved immunity, as well as heart health (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851242/), cancer (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6689821/), anxiety, depression and more
Hello,
I have ordered a Vitamin D test from the Vitamin D Council in the past. For the last six months, I have gotten an error message when trying to reach their website (www.vitamindcouncil.org). The links in your blog return the same error message. Do you have any information regarding how to order a test from them or know of a new website address?
Thank you,
PM
PM
I have no idea what has happened and am concerned. I’ve reached out to colleagues to see if anyone knows
Hello Trudy,
First of all I would like to say that your blog is one of my favorites! Your articles are always fascinating to read.
Since you’ve been posting about vitamin D, can you help me out. For 1,5 years I’ve always took magnesium glycinate. I’ve took it for my mood swings and OCD. It worked amazing for these symptoms, although I’ve experienced side effects like a blurred vision, headache, heart palpulations and extensive sweating, which I think might be due to low calcium? Since my diet doesn’t include much of calcium. Unfortunately it stopped working lat winter and I thought it might be due to vitamin D levels. I’ve did some bloodwork recently and my doctor told that my levels were very good.
Can you maybe tell me why the magnesium stopped working?
Marcella
Thanks for the lovely feedback. You may find this helpful – Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function https://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2673882. But gosh so many factors why a nutrient no longer works – new ingredients, fillers, no longer needed, more needed, something else going on. It’s hard to know without having the big picture.
Thank you for this article!
I take 20k iu vitamin D3 a day (in the winter season I need to take more – wild, right?). It keeps my D levels in what, for me, is my optimal range for fixing my sleep – between 60 and 80 (a do Neurologist Stasha Gominak’s Right Sleep protocol). My sleep is improving (after over 50 years of terrible sleep), along with other health issues (histamine intolerance, which brings on pyroluria, for example); I cut back on the magnesium glycinate I was taking, as my body is healing and doesn’t need as much. I’ve been getting your emails for a while, listened to your Trauma Superconference interview, and it got me back to my diagnosed pyroluria – “I remember, I have a tendency towards this!” – I’ve been taking zinc, but had forgotten about the B6, and just ordered some Evening Primrose Oil; Vitamin D, here in the United States, is not that expensive to supplement or test (If I am remembering correctly (!) Dr.s can test it at least twice a year and it is covered by insurance). Here it is the height of the summer allergies, and I am able to take long walks in the cool of the morning…that is a big deal. Thank you again!
Hi Trudy! I had coronavirus about 5 weeks ago. I experienced, by far, the worst anxiety of my life during the first couple of weeks. I have always had a claustrophobia but that is all, anxiety-wise. I would wake up in the middle of the night filled with worry, dread, and fear. I hated being alone and my mind wouldn’t stop worrying. I have never had a panic attack but almost had a couple in the middle of the night when I had coronavirus. I’m just curious if this is a symptom you’ve heard of very much. As a side note, it wasn’t worry about dying from coronavirus or anything like that… I wasn’t even afraid of the virus as I knew I’d get it eventually. It was absolutely irrational worry that I couldn’t stop. THANKS!
Cassandra
Sorry to hear. There is a growing body of research on neuropsychiatric symptoms during and after COVID. Less has been documented about anxiety but here is one example https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34900357/
With these symptoms – waking in the middle of the night filled with worry, dread, and fear; hating being alone; mind wouldn’t stop worrying; panic attack and . I have never had a panic attack; irrational worry that I couldn’t stop – I’d use tryptophan or 5-HTP
Hope you’re doing better now