VitaminD supplementation for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19: a position statement from the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) produces severe respiratory symptoms such as bilateral pneumonia associated to a high morbidity and mortality, especially in patients of advanced age. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in several chronic conditions associated with increased inflammation and dysregulation of the immune system. Vitamin D in modulates immune function too. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed by most immune cells, including B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells and the signalling of vitamin D and VDR together has an anti-inflammatory effect. Some studies have reported that vitamin D treatment could be useful for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 because vitamin D plays an important role as a modulator of immunocompetence. Over the last few months, some studies have hypothesized the possible beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19 in order to improve the immune balance and prevent the hyperinflammatory cytokine storm. Some preliminary studies have already shown promising results with vitamin D supplementation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D should be administered daily until adequate levels are achieved due to vitamin D behaves as a negative acute phase reactant (APR). Despite the lack of evidence on specific doses of vitamin D to treat COVID-19 in older adults, authors consider it is necessary to standardize the use in clinical practice. These recommendations advice supplement vitamin D in a protocoled fashion based on expert opinions, level of evidence 5.

Decentralized vitamin C & D dual biosensor chip: Toward personalized immune system support

“…Considering that precise VD administration depends upon the unique characteristics of each individual and their nutritional and health status ( Griffin et al, 2021 ; Rastogi et al, 2020 ; Tarazona-Santabalbina et al, 2021 ), the use of the VD immunostrip as analytical tool to identify personal needs and guide appropriate vitamin dosage, was evaluated. Accordingly, we studied the VD pharmacokinetic profile of four different subjects by analyzing the stimulated saliva samples collected before and every 20 min after the intake of a single 10,000 IU VD pill; Fig.…”

“…General recommendations for the administration of VD doses higher than 10,000 IU over short time periods to patients with SARS-COV2 infection to minimize the symptoms, and daily intake of 800–4,000 IU of VD for long time periods for the healthy population have been proposed ( Griffin et al, 2021 ; Jolliffe et al, 2021 ). However, personalized approaches considering precise dosage and administration period duration while performing close VD monitoring can be essential in critical scenarios such as immunosuppressed and obese patients, or subjects with malabsorption issues ( Rastogi et al, 2020 ; Tarazona-Santabalbina et al, 2021 ). With this in mind, we proceeded to monitor long-term VD bioaccumulation by intermittent tracking of the vitamin levels every two days ( Fig.…”

Vitamin D: A Potential Mitigation Tool for the Endemic Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…Moreover, governments as well as public health institutions will need to lead the way as we enter the endemic stage of SARS-CoV-2; therefore, funding properly designed RCTs that produce results that will settle the issue in the near future is imperative. If the benefits of correcting vitamin D deficiency in the general population are confirmed, the improvement of the overall respiratory health of the population will have an impact not only on SARS-CoV-2 infection but also on other seasonal viruses that are responsible for hospitalizations and deaths every year (143). If proper RCTs are not performed the controversy surrounding vitamin D supplementation, which was an issue before the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue and the possible health benefits of vitamin D supplementation will remain in perpetual scientific limbo.…”

Vitamin D: What's new a year on from the COVID‐19 outbreak?

“…A position statement from the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology on vitamin D supplementation for the prevention and treatment of COVID‐19 also recommends that its use should be standardised in clinical practice, despite the lack of evidence on specific doses of vitamin D to treat COVID‐19 in older adults. They argue that ‘… in an ideal world, health decisions must be made based on overwhelming evidence, but a time of crisis such as the current one may require a slightly different set of rules ’ (Tarazona‐Santabalbina et al, 2021).…”