Vitamin D Status for a Healthy Immune Response

Vitamin D is critical to our immune system, bone health, energy and mood.  Researchers are also finding that it’s also important for preventing viral infections including COVID-19.

Results of a randomized controlled trial found that patients’ health improved more quickly and had 25 times fewer admissions to ICU when given Vitamin D with treatment for COVID-19. A similar observational study found that patients who already had adequate levels of vitamin D, or blood serum of 25-hydroxyvitamin D greater than 30 ng/mL, had significantly lower inflammation and a decreased risk of serious complications from COVID-19.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone-like nutrient that is able to pass into cells and directly effects the process of DNA production. It supports the production of antimicrobial peptides in the lining of the respiratory tract and also promotes a healthy inflammatory response.

Vitamin D is the only nutrient that the body creates when exposed to sunlight

As we move through fall and into winter, the tilt of the earth makes it difficult for people living at most latitudes to get adequate vitamin D from the sun.  This means we still get less Vitamin D in the winter, even on a sunny day.  During this time of the year we need to make sure we’re checking our vitamin D levels and getting extra from foods and supplements.

Food Sources of Vitamin D

You can get vitamin D in your diet by making sure you incorporate fish, like wild-caught salmon, herring and sardines.  Eggs with the yolk and wild mushrooms also contain vitamin D, but make sure you eat these vitamin D-rich foods with some healthy fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil or ghee.  Some foods have also been fortified with Vitamin D, such as milk, yogurt, or cereals.

Optimal Levels

Your doctor can measure vitamin D levels with a serum blood test. The doctors at Boulder Natural Health like to see optimal vitamin D levels between 50-70 ng/mL. The key with vitamin D is taking enough but not too much. You can reach toxic levels if you take too much because vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. Talk to your doctor about testing and appropriate dosing.

Get more recommended Immune Support Supplements and try this Immune Support Soup