Vitamin D and COVID-19

We've had so many questions about vitamin D in recent weeks and we wanted to share with you some key points regarding vitamin D and COVID in the hope that it will help protect your health.

Why is vitamin D so important for the immune system?

Vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, is a fat-soluble group of vitamins including vitamin D2, which is derived from plants, and D3, which is found in humans and other animals. This vitamin is produced naturally by our skin when it comes into contact with the sun’s rays and triggers vitamin D production. You can get small amounts from foods but not enough. Around 15.2 million adults in the UK have insufficient vitamin D levels.

Why is vitamin D so important for the immune system?

Vitamin D receptors are found in almost every cell in the body - this is really important because it shows that all cells (including immune cells) are programmed to receive incoming information from vitamin D. When vitamin D reaches these receptors it has the ability to "turn on" genes which help protect your your immune system - how amazing is that? Without sufficient vitamin D the immune system doesn't work properly. 
 

Vitamin D and COVID

Right now there just isn't enough data to measure the association between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity and mortality.

However we do know that vitamin D supplementation is safe and can protect against Acute Respiratory Infections therefore in the absence of COVID specific research we think everyone should be maintaining optimal vitamin D levels.

How do I know if I have enough vitamin D?
You might be at risk of deficiency if:

• are not often outdoors

• usually wear clothes that cover up most of your skin when outdoors

• you have dark skin

The only way to know for certain is to get a vitamin D blood spot test. The NHS offer a cheap, effective test. The other option is to assume that you might need a little extra vitamin D and supplement a safe amount without testing first.
 

How much vitamin D should I take?

The NHS now recommends that everyone should consider taking 10 micrograms (400iu) of vitamin D per day, even during the summer.

If you find out you're deficient, you can take higher doses over a short period to get your levels topped up quickly and then move over to a lower dose. We recommend to take at least 25 micrograms (1000iu) per day.

Which form of Vitamin D should I take, D2 or D3?

The most effective and well absorbed form of vitamin D to supplement is vitamin D3. Most often vitamin D3 is sourced from lanolin but we recommend to choose vegan vitamin D3 from lichen. 

What Vitamin D options does Ethical Nutrition Co offer?

We only use vegan vitamin D3 in our supplements. It's the most effective and ethical form. We also make the only plastic free vitamin D in the UK! 

• For general daily support our Ethical Multivitamin offers the NHS recommended 640iu of vitamin D per day alongside a blend of immune-supporting nutrients to cover your all-round health needs.

• For extra-strength immune support our Vegan Vitamin D3 capsules provide 25 micrograms (1000iu) per capsule. It's also great value at just 20p per day! You can safely take this alongside your multivitamin to make sure you maintain optimal levels. 

Wishing you the best of health.

Ethical Nutrition Co.