Part 2 of our review looking at the many benefits Vitamin D brings - more reasons to get out in the sun
Posted by Eamonn Brady on
Vitamin D
Part 2
Vitamin D and Respiratory infections (including Covid 19)
Groundbreaking Irish Study on Vitamin D benefits against Covid 19
A study by the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as well as research from Technological University Dublin (published in Irish Medical Journal in April 2020) indicated that Vitamin D reduces risk of getting Covid 19 and helps fight it for those infected with Covid-19. TILDA is an ongoing study of people over the age of 50 in Ireland. According to its report, Vitamin D Deficiency in Ireland - Implications for COVID 19, vitamin D plays an essential role in preventing respiratory infections, reducing antibiotic use, and boosting the immune system's response to infections.
What is the Correlation between Vitamin D and Covid-19?
According to the research findings, people who do not have enough Vitamin D in their body have a higher chance of getting a respiratory infection and pneumonia as well as having little or no resistance to these infections. This points out that people who do not have enough Vitamin D in their body can spread these infections due to their lack of resistance. Taking Vitamin D supplements may reduce risk of getting respiratory infections including Covid-19. The findings indicate if Covid 19 infection occurs, vitamin D supplements may even ease symptoms and speed up recovery times with these respiratory infections. The findings conclude that vitamin may be able to slow down the spread of Covid 19 infection and with the help of resistance.
Recommended daily intake of Vitamin D
The recommended daily dose of vitamin D is suggested to be 800-2000iu which is 25 – 50 micrograms per day. Vitamin D3 is the easiest type of vitamin D to absorb. Vitamin D is covered on it with a prescription from your GP on the GMS (Medical Card) and Drug Payment Card schemes.
Drug interactions
Some blood pressures called diuretics (eg. thiazides) can reduce the urinary excretion of vitamin D hence increasing the risk of too much vitamin D. Some epilepsy medication such as phenytoin can reduce vitamin D levels.
Covid-19 Booster Vaccine
Whelehans Pharmacy Pearse St have a weekly walk-in clinic for Covid-19 boosters. Call 0449334591 for more info.
For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore). Or info@whelehans.ie.