Vitamin D Trial

[pastafreak]

Researchers are looking for 5,000 volunteers to take part in a trial to test whether Vitamin D can protect against Covid and other upper respiratory infections. This applies to people who do not already supplement with Vitamin D.

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2020/smd/clinical-trial-to-investigate-whether-vitamin-d-protects-against-covid-19.html

[Mamyalynne]

Interesting Pasta, almost everyone I know is on Vit D - I'm sure they'll get volunteers however.

[Sqad]

I thought that it had been established already,that Vit D was a suitable prophylactic approach to respiratory infections.
I suppose that this trial will include Co19.

[dannyk13]

A bit ambiguous as they refer to high dose of Vitamin D.I take two tablets a day which contain 400ui, so is that a high dose?

[wolf63]

I've been taking Vitamin D since the beginning of the year. I am also taking Folic Acid as my levels were low.

There is much logic behind Vit D's potential as some help against Covid.

[Prudie]

That is interesting however I have never understood - one of our main sources of Vit D is via sunlight (I've always assumed I have enough due to copious hours spent lying on foreign beaches) BUT if Vit D offers so much protection how come Covid was rife (and still is) in so many sunny countries eg Italy, Spain, Greece, the tropics etc etc?

[AuntPollyGrey]

On your first point Prudie , Vit D cannot be stored in the body so it doesn't matter how many foreign holidays you've had in the past.

Secondly, I think the fact than in sunnier countries people tend to spend more time outdoors socialising so that won't help.

[woofgang]

danny, scroll down "The intervention to be evaluated involves doing a postal finger prick vitamin D test, which will be processed in an NHS lab. Participants who are found to have low levels of vitamin D in their blood will then be given a six months’ supply of either 800 or 3,200 IU of vitamin D a day."

[Sqad]

/////BUT if Vit D offers so much protection how come Covid was rife (and still is) in so many sunny countries eg Italy, Spain, Greece, the tropics etc etc?///

Because,the virus is so contagious that the prophylactic effect of Vit D is minute.

[Prudie]

^ so sqad what's the point?

[dannyk13]

Thanks Woofie, a I already take 800 ui a day I don't think I would be acceptable.

[Sqad]

what's the point of what-?

[Samuraisan]

Actually, even if you live in a sunny climate, as we do, doesn't mean you walk/sit in the sun, which you have to do to absorb Vit D. I found I didn't have enough so began to stay in the sun 15 minutes a day, has to be mid day more or less, apparently, and as well as getting a lovely tan, I now have enough Vit D in my body.

[Prudie]

APG I'm no scientist and have only had a quick google but several results suggest Vit D stays in the body for up to 84 days, often in fat, I wouldn't consider that "can't store"

[Prudie]

If the effect is minute what's the point of taking it?

[Sqad]

Prudie
Cus every little helps but mainly to corroborate or otherwise previous studies.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Prudie you are correct, I've always thought vit D can't be stored in the body but your link proves it can. I can remember being told that years ago in Canada, and encouraged to go out every day for sun even if it was minus 20C!

[Cloverjo]

I’ve signed up. I had to answer lots of questions about my health. Don’t know if they’ll want me or when/if I get the finger prick test.

[woofgang]

I signed up too.

[puzzled54]

I have sent an email, do they then get back to you with lots of questions?

[LadyCG]

Vit D is a fat-soluable vitamin and is stored in the liver along with the other fat soluble vitamins, A, E and K.

This is a worthy trial. Vitamin D is also known to offer some protection against cancer.