Published on September 18, 2020
Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, GrassrootsHealth has continued to share information about the importance of nutrients in supporting proper immune function for better health outcomes. Vitamin D has gained a lot of attention for its multiple roles in immune health, especially in response to COVID-19. The paper reviewed below is one of the latest publications showing a strong association between vitamin D status and COVID-19 disease severity and death – adding more reason to take every step possible to avoid vitamin D deficiency NOW.
What did the study look at?
A study by Radujkovic et al. analyzed data from 185 COVID-19 patients to see if vitamin D status at hospital admission had any association with COVID-19 disease severity and survival. Patients were either admitted for outpatient care or inpatient care. Those who were outpatients (n=92) had mild to moderate symptoms, and were visited at home on a regular basis for care and evaluation. Those with severe or critical symptoms were admitted as inpatients (n=93) and treated with standard supportive care for COVID-19 disease. Inpatients were older, more likely to be male, and had a greater number of comorbid conditions.
What were the results of the study?
The average vitamin D level of all patients was 17 ng/ml (42 nmol/L), with the average for inpatients at 15 ng/ml (37 nmol/L) and outpatients at 19 ng/ml (47 nmol/L). Overall, 22% of patients had vitamin D levels below 12 ng/ml (30 nmol/L) and 64% had levels below 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/L).
Patients admitted for inpatient care were more likely to have a vitamin D level below 12 ng/ml (30 nmol/L). By the end of the study, a total of 16 patients had died, and 23 patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. As shown in the chart above, those with a vitamin D level below 12 ng/ml had a 6-fold higher risk of severe disease resulting in the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and/or death, and approximately 15 fold higher risk of death.
Results from observational studies such as the one above, as well as the first published randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation and patients with COVID-19 which showed a 96% lower risk of ICU admission for those receiving vitamin D, add to the growing list of evidence of the importance of vitamin D and avoiding deficiency.
How is your vitamin D status?
Could a vitamin D deficiency be putting a damper on your immune response? Do you know your levels of other immune-important nutrients as well? Find out by testing your vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium and other essential elements (including copper and zinc), as well as your inflammation levels, with the new Immune Boost home test kit offered by GrassrootsHealth. Measuring levels is the only way to know if you are supporting your immune system and whether additional changes should be made, with supplementation, dietary changes, or both.
Enroll now with the Full Immune Boost Panel (which includes tests for vitamin D, Omega-3 Index, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, and hsCRP), and get 10% off when you use coupon code BoostTen at checkout.
What Does it Take YOU to Get Your D to 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L)?
Did you know your health could be greatly affected by making sure you have a vitamin D level of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L)? Help us help you.
STEP 1 – Do you know what your vitamin D level is? If not, be sure to test today to find out.
STEP 2 – Determine your target level. Are you at your target level? Experts recommend a level of at least 40-60 ng/ml (100-150 nmol/L).
STEP 3 – Need to boost your level? Use the D*calculator to see how much vitamin D it may take to reach your target. Opt for the Loading Dose for a quicker boost.
STEP 4 – Optimize how your body absorbs and utilizes vitamin D with co-nutrients and these simple steps.
STEP 5 – Re-Test! This is an important step to make sure you have reached your target level, and to ensure you are not taking too much! Re-testing after 3-4 months is recommended.
STEP 6 – Adjust, Repeat…
Give your immune system the nutrients it needs to support a healthy you and protect yourself from unnecessary diseases, especially COVID-19.
NEWS ALERT
The first Randomized Controlled Trial on vitamin D and COVID-19 has shown a 96% lower risk of ICU admission for those receiving vitamin D (as 25(OH)D to quickly boost vitamin D blood levels) along with the standard treatment, compared to those receiving standard treatment alone.
These results support many previous observational studies showing a relationship between vitamin D levels and intake and COVID-19 severity.
Review the Latest Nutrient Research for COVID-19
GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute has launched the new Immune Boost project with the use of our myData-myAnswers nutrient health system that nearly 15,000 people are already using for their health. Specific markers that influence immune health are suggested for testing as part of this project including:
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 Index
- Essential elements magnesium, selenium, and zinc
- hsCRP
Our goal is to demonstrate how one can use the Nutrient Research Model established by Dr. Robert Heaney to show the effect of vitamin D serum levels of at least 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L) on risk reduction for all ethnicities in the population. Status and intake of other nutrients will also be analyzed for any type of relationship to immune status and symptom severity. Join the project today!
Please let us know if you’re interested in helping sponsor this project.
CLICK HERE for updates and new information about the project.
Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your essential elements magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium, toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium, as well as your omega-3 levels, inflammation levels and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Find out your levels today! Log on to the test selection page (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your levels can be improved.
Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!
Click Here to Access the Test Page
How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?
To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created the Personal Health Nutrient Decision System called
For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
