The One Vitamin to Take for Covid19

How to reduce susceptibility

Pandemics breed fear and false hope in equal parts. Undocumented treatments flood the media. A Google search for “covid 19 cure” generates over 2 billion hits, a remarkable number for a disease without a cure. The solution often takes the form of a supplement. However, one supplement story should be heard.

There is now good data to support a protective effect of vitamin D on severity of infection with covid 19.

The virus gains entry to the body by binding a receptor called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or ACE2. ACE may sound familiar because ACE inhibitors (Lotensin, Vasotec, Zestril…) are commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure. While ACE increases blood pressure and inflammation, ACE2 opposes these actions lowering blood pressure and quieting inflammation.

ACE2 is expressed on the cell surface of alveolar epithelial cells (the paper-thin cells through which inhaled oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide pass to and from circulating blood).

When covid19 binds the ACE2 receptor it effectively blocks ACE2 activity. This triggers a cascade of inflammation, lung injury, hypoxia and what is known as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Vitamin D increases ACE2 levels when they are low thereby rectifying the imbalance.