Preventing the Adverse Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 through Diet, Supplements, and Lifestyle

High-dose vitamin D supplementation is common in the general population, but unsupervised high-dose supplementation in vitamin D-replete individuals poses a risk of severe toxicity. Susceptibility to vitamin D toxicity shows a significant inter-individual variability that may in part be explained by genetic predispositions (i.e., CYP24A1 polymorphism). The classic manifestation of vitamin D toxicity is hypercalcemia, which may be refractory to conventional therapy. Its causes include the endogenous overaction of 1α-hydroxylase, monogenic alterations affecting vitamin D metabolizing enzymes and exogenous vitamin D intoxication. In this manuscript, we include a literature review of potential pharmacological interventions targeting calcitriol metabolism to treat vitamin D intoxication and present a case of severe, exogenous vitamin D intoxication responding to systemic corticosteroids after the failure of conventional therapy. Systemic glucocorticoids alleviate acute hypercalcemia by inhibiting enteric calcium absorption and increasing the degradation of vitamin D metabolites but may cause adverse effects. Inhibitors of 1α-hydroxylase (keto/fluconazole) and inducers of CYP3A4 (rifampicin) may be considered steroid-sparing alternatives for the treatment of vitamin D intoxication.

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Preventing the Adverse Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 through Diet, Supplements, and Lifestyle

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the ongoing worldwide pandemic, has cost the lives of almost 5 [...]

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

Contributions of Small Grains Grown in Zimbabwe’s Dryland Regions in Boosting Immunity and Combating COVID-19

Contributions of Small Grains Grown in Zimbabwe’s Dryland Regions in Boosting Immunity and Combating COVID-19

Anti-inflammatory and nutritional interventions against SARS-CoV-2: A comprehensive review

Targeting Calcitriol Metabolism in Acute Vitamin D Toxicity—A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Insight

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