Is there an optimal daily dose of vitamin D for immune function? | Roger Seheult

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5 Mar 202103:48

Summary

TLDRThis transcript discusses the relationship between vitamin D levels and health outcomes, particularly the increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity when levels fall below 50 nanograms per milliliter. It highlights a meta-analysis linking vitamin D to all-cause mortality, suggesting an optimal range of 40 to 60 or 70 nanograms per milliliter. The conversation also touches on the safety of vitamin D supplementation, noting its low toxicity compared to other fat-soluble vitamins, and the nonlinear response of vitamin D levels to supplementation, where higher doses have diminishing returns.

Takeaways

  • 🌞 The storage form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is crucial for health, with levels below 50 nanograms per milliliter linked to increased SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates.
  • 📉 Current vitamin D level recommendations are primarily based on its role in bone metabolism, but there may be different optimal levels for immunological functions related to COVID-19.
  • 🔍 A meta-analysis of studies from the 1960s to 2013 showed an association between vitamin D blood levels and all-cause mortality, with an optimal range between 40 to 60 or 70 nanograms per milliliter.
  • 💊 The upper tolerable intake level for vitamin D, as set by the Institute of Medicine, is 4000 IUs per day, highlighting the importance of not exceeding this amount.
  • 🚫 Vitamin D is considered the least toxic fat-soluble vitamin, with a study of 20,000 people showing minimal risk of hypercalcemia even at high supplementation levels.
  • 📈 The relationship between vitamin D supplementation and blood levels is nonlinear, with the first 1000 IUs having a more significant impact on levels than higher doses.
  • 🧬 The increase in vitamin D levels from supplementation diminishes as the dosage increases, suggesting a saturation point for vitamin D receptors in the body.
  • 🧬 Polish scientists studied the Mayo Clinic's database and found only one case of hypercalcemia out of 20,000 people, indicating a very low risk of toxicity from vitamin D supplementation.
  • 📚 A study mentioned by Dr. Patrick found no toxic effects from long-term supplementation with 10,000 IUs of vitamin D per day.
  • 🌐 The transcript discusses the importance of vitamin D in both endocrinological and immunological contexts, emphasizing its multifaceted role in human health.
  • 📉 The transcript suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could be beneficial for overall health and potentially for reducing the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Q & A

  • What is the primary form of vitamin D that is stored in the body?

    -The primary storage form of vitamin D is 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

  • What is the significance of vitamin D levels dropping below 50 nanograms per milliliter?

    -When vitamin D levels drop below 50 nanograms per milliliter, there is an observed increase in SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates.

  • How are the recommended vitamin D levels related to bone metabolism?

    -The recommended vitamin D levels are largely based on their endocrinological function with bone metabolism, although their exact value for immunological functioning or COVID is not yet known.

  • What did the associative studies involving 191,000 people suggest about vitamin D levels and SARS-CoV-2 rates?

    -The associative studies indicated that SARS-CoV-2 rates started to increase once vitamin D levels dropped below 50 nanograms per milliliter.

  • What is the 'sweet spot' for vitamin D levels in terms of all-cause mortality according to the meta-analysis?

    -The meta-analysis found that vitamin D levels between 40 to 60 or 70 nanograms per milliliter were associated with the lowest all-cause mortality.

  • What is the upper tolerable intake of vitamin D as set by the Institute of Medicine?

    -The upper tolerable intake of vitamin D, as set by the Institute of Medicine, is 4000 IUs (International Units) per day.

  • Why is vitamin D considered the least toxic fat-soluble vitamin?

    -Vitamin D is considered the least toxic fat-soluble vitamin because of its low toxicity profile; a study involving 20,000 people found only one case of hypercalcemia even with supplementation up to 55,000 units a day.

  • What was the case of hypercalcemia found in the study involving the Mayo Clinic's database?

    -In the study, one person out of 20,000 developed hypercalcemia with a vitamin D level in the 200-300 nanograms per milliliter range, which is considered very high.

  • What is the observed long-term effect of supplementing with 10,000 IUs of vitamin D daily?

    -Long-term supplementation with 10,000 IUs of vitamin D daily showed no toxic effects, as mentioned in a study that Dr. Patrick referred to.

  • How does the increase in vitamin D supplementation relate to the increase in nanograms per milliliter?

    -The increase in nanograms per milliliter is not linear with supplementation. The first 1000 units of supplementation increase levels by about 4.8 to 5 nanograms per milliliter, whereas at higher doses like 15,000 to 30,000 units, each additional 1000 units results in a much smaller increase.

  • What does the nonlinear relationship between vitamin D supplementation and serum levels suggest about the body's response?

    -The nonlinear relationship suggests that as supplementation increases, the body's ability to absorb additional vitamin D decreases, possibly due to receptor saturation, although this is not definitively proven.

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Related Tags
Vitamin DCOVID-19HealthImmunitySupplementationToxicityMeta-AnalysisEndocrinologyNutritionResearch