COVID-19, or Coronavirus disease 2019, is a contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 influenza virus. Influenza means contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Like most influenza viruses, Covid-19 can cause a range of illnesses, from mild respiratory issues to severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory illness. The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or breathes.
One of the most important facts about this virus is that a persons immune response is responsible for how quickly a person recovers and how ill they become. One study in Ireland showed that a deficiency in vitamin D was present in most of those that were hospitalised due to complications of the virus.
The peak in cases is also relevant as the body only stores vitamin D for up to two months and the sun is too weak from October to April (in the northern hemisphere) for the skin to manufacture vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Therefore from November to April vitamin D stores run out unless extra is consumed from food. However, food intake is not generally enough for sufficient levels in the blood. Only vitamin D3 supplements can reestablish current levels.
It is also possible that those that do not get outside enough (as the suns UV rays cannot go through windows) or use sunscreen or cover their skin are deficient in vitamin D all year round. A blood test should be done to find out if vitamin D levels are correct as this will seriously affect someone’s immune efficiency against any virus attack.
It is difficult for vegetarians to gain sufficient vitamin D as there are few plant foods that provide it. However certain mushrooms listed below and hemp seeds are two ways of gaining extra in their diet.
Highest sources of vitamin D per serving listed
- Krill oil – 1 teaspoon: 1000 IU
- Eel – 85 g or 3 oz: 792 IU
- Maitake mushrooms – 70 g: 786 IU
- Rainbow trout – 85 g or 3 oz: 540 IU
- Cod liver oil – 1 teaspoon: 440 IU
- Mackerel – 85 g or 3 oz: 400 IU
- Salmon – 85 g or 3 oz: 400 IU
- Halibut – 85 g or 3 oz: 196 IU
- Tuna – 85 g or 3 oz: 228 IU
- Sardines – 85 g or 3 oz: 164 IU
- Chanterelle mushrooms – 85 g or 3 oz: 155 IU
- Raw milk – 1 glass or 8 oz: 98 IU
- Egg yolk – 1 large: 41 IU
- Caviar – 28g or 1 oz: 33 IU
- Hemp seeds – 100 g or 3.5 oz: 22 IU
- Portabella mushrooms – 85 g or 3 oz: 6 IU
NOTE: One IU is the biological equivalent of 0.3 μg or 0.3 micrograms.
NOTE: Farmed fish such as salmon are often deficient in vitamin D.
In the UK, a vitamin D level of 75 nmol/L or above is considered optimal. Levels between 50-75 nmol/L are considered adequate, while levels below 25 nmol/L are considered deficient and may require supplementation. However, levels may need to be much higher when a virus has attacked the body.
Other ways to be protected against all viruses including coronaviruses like Covid-19 and to be able to fight them off quickly, is to ensure the intestinal flora is balanced well and that nutrients the immune system requires are all at optimum levels. To find out how see>>
NOTE: The nutrients required to help fight off viruses can be found here>> Virus infections
When a virus strikes find out how to naturally fight off viruses>> Anti-microbial healing plants and foods.
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