You get it through the sun, from food or from a jar: vitamin D. According to experts, it may increase the resistance to the corona virus, but there is no conclusive evidence yet. A few questions about vitamin D.
Does taking vitamin D help to resist the corona virus?
“What we know about the effect of vitamin D mainly comes from old studies”, says lung specialist Leon van den Toorn. “We already knew that it has a positive effect on bones and muscles, but we now also know that it does something with your immune system. But it remains difficult to say that if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you also have a greater there is a chance of a serious disease course after a corona infection. We cannot say that hard, “says Van den Toorn.
He says that experts still know too little about vitamin D and the corona virus. “There is a first indication. That must be proven in well-designed studies. We are talking about that now.”
“But,” adds the lung specialist, “we can say to people in a risk group: take vitamin D.”
The Netherlands Nutrition Center also knows that there are studies into the relationship between vitamin D, corona and respiratory infections. “But there is still insufficient conclusive substantiation,” says Iris Groenenberg, expert nutrition and health at the Netherlands Nutrition Center. “These are often observational studies. For the Health Council that is not sufficient for a positive advice. And we, as the Netherlands Nutrition Center, are adopting that advice.”
In the AD says Huub Savelkoul, professor of immunology at Wageningen University, that there are many indications in scientific literature that vitamin D helps against corona. According to him, it has been proven that vitamin D helps against respiratory infections, that would appear this study. He also refers to in the AD a study which scientifically proves that vitamin D can contribute to a less serious course of corona, although that is a small study.
Is there already a storm at drugstores?
The positive reports about vitamin D and the corona virus are leading to higher sales figures at the drugstore chain Kruidvat. “If you compare it to last year, you see more than 15 percent more sales since the summer,” said a spokesman. Last week, the chain saw a 30 percent spike in vitamin D sales over “a normal week of action.” “Back then: 1 plus 1 free, but sales were still 30 percent higher. In short: there is certainly a lot of demand.”
Etos also sees a “significant increase”, but does not mention percentages. According to the company, vitamin D was sold more in the spring and sales are now also higher than last year around this time. DA is still investigating the sales figures.
How do you actually get vitamin D?
In the spring and summer you get vitamin D through the skin. If you have dark skin, less vitamin D is stored. In autumn and winter you do not get any vitamin D, because the UV radiation is not strong enough.
Another way to get vitamin D is through food. “Mainly by eating fatty fish and to a lesser extent by eating meat or eggs. We also add vitamin D to low-fat margarine, margarine and baking and frying products,” says Groenenberg of the Nutrition Center.
If you just eat and live healthy, do you also benefit from extra vitamin D?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Center, if you eat according to the Wheel of Five and are outside for fifteen to thirty minutes every day, you will in most cases get enough vitamin D. Exceptions are children up to the age of four, pregnant women, women over 50, men over 70, people with medium skin tone, or people who cover themselves.
Are there also risks of taking vitamin D?
“No, unless you consume too much vitamin D,” warns Groenenberg. “Then the calcium in your blood can become too high and that precipitates in your kidneys or blood vessels. This could possibly cause problems, such as kidney stones.”
The Nutrition Center therefore says: do not take more vitamin D than the recommended daily amount. That is 10 micrograms of vitamin D. Except for people over 70: they are advised not to take more than 20 micrograms.
Earlier this week, the Consumer Guide an investigation to vitamin D supplements. Of the 58 jars, 33 contained more vitamin D than the recommended daily allowance.
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