Tuesday 14 April 2020

Vitamin D and Immunity – important against Covid-19

Vitamin D and Immunity – a brief introduction




Deaths from Covid-19 continue to increase worldwide. There is no immunisation; attempts at reducing numbers of cases and deaths by population isolation not seem to have a large effect in Europe.

The many trillions of virus copies cannot be destroyed. The way to protect the population from death is to maximise immunity and when necessary to provide intensive care life support.

I have drawn attention to three observations:
  • In the UK, six doctors, one nurse, and one health care assistant died from Covid-19. All were of black African or South Asian ethnicity. Shortly afterwards, on April 3rd 2020 a second nurse died, but she was white-skinned. However 8 out of 9 being of black African or South Asian ethnicity in the UK is more than a coincidence. 35% of those with Covid-19 requiring intensive care in the UK have black African or South Asian ethnicity. The USA has also experienced a proportionately higher risk of severe or fatal Covid-19 in BAME citizens. In Sweden it has been reported that 40% of Covid-19 deaths in Stockholm have been from the Somali community (<1% of the population). Skin pigmentation is obviously not itself the cause of the disease but it must be regarded as a very important susceptibility factor.
  • The greatest incidence of Corvid-19 cases and deaths in Europe has been in Northern Italy, which before the pandemic had the highest level of air pollution in Europe.
  • The pandemic of Covid-19 has occurred during the late winter in the northern hemisphere, and minor epidemics or clusters of viral "flu" always occurs at this time of the year (see EuroMomo)
All three are factors that are associated with low exposure to the sun and thus blood levels of  vitamin D: dark skin, air pollution, the winter.  Low blood levels of vitamin D will lead to poor defence against Covid-19. However it is reversible: if vitamin D deficiency is corrected in those at risk (which is effectively all of us in Europe, but especially those with dark skins) then there might be a reduction in the number of deaths.

It might be felt that this is supposition, but it has been established that vitamin D has an important role in immune defence mechanisms. It would be as well to look at this.

Vitamin D synthesis

Our skin, together with plankton living close to the surface of the oceans, are the most important sites of synthesis of the vitamin D that we need. Both produce initially the long-chain lipid squalene, also know as shark oil. The next stage is folding this molecule into the sterol 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC). 

The critical part of the process, and a miracle accident of evolution, is that ultra-violet light of wavelength 270–300nm splits 7-DHC at a specific point, and as a result the molecule rotates and forms cholecalciferol, vitamin D. 






Three things can now happen. In humans the vitamin D (called cholecalciferol) which is synthesised in the skin enters the blood-stream. 

In furry animals the vitamin D is formed by UV light acting on the 7-dehydrocholesterol on the surface, in the oils that are secreted by the skin. Furry animals spend much time licking themselves and in this way they ingest the vitamin D, which is then absorbed from the intestine. 

The vitamin D in plankton enters the food chain via the plankton being eaten by small fish, and small fish being eaten by large fish, and large fish being eaten by humankind. The vitamin D is then absorbed by the intestine and it passes through the liver.

As the vitamin D passes through the liver it is activated by the addition of a hydroxyl (-OH) group to form calcidiol. Another hydroxyl group is added as the blood circulates though the kidneys to form the highly active hormone (chemical messenger) calcitriol.



Calitriol is a hormone that will activate vitamin D receptors (VDRs), protein enzymes found in cell walls. The calcitriol-VDR complex passes within the cytoplasm of the cell and reaches the cell nucleus. There it activates vitamin D responsive elements (VDRE) which can in turn activate a number of nuclear genes.




Response to infection

In response to infection, viral or bacterial, the body's defensive T-cells are activated as part of an enzyme cascade. This includes gene expression that stimulates further T-cell proliferation, and also increased synthesis of VDRs. As long as there is an adequate supply of vitamin D as calcitriol, there will be a feedback loop increasing the defensive immune response by a factor of up to 75.


The importance of vitamin D in defence against infection is clear, and it has been worked out in much greater cytogenetic detail than this brief sketch.

If you would like to see more detail, I would recommend:


Vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated actions of 1α,25(OH)vitamin D: Genomic and non-genomic mechanisms
Haussler MR, Jurutka PW, Mizwicki,


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21872797

(Not the easiest read.)

Another part of the pathway is that the defence cells macrophages ("big eaters") can themselves activate calcidiol to form calcitriol. This leads to the VDR-calcitriol complex enhancing gene expression via VDRE in the macrophage, and this further enhances immune defensive processes. Again, there must be a good supply of vitamin D to supply the substrate calcidiol.

Tuberculosis

The importance of vitamin D in defensive immunity was first recognised in observations of tuberculosis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

The serious atmospheric pollution in the industrial cities of Europe led to the appearance of rickets, the childhood bone disease that is the direct result of vitamin D deficiency. This resulted from the failure of adequate penetration of sunlight through the polluted air to ground level. 

The movement of affected sick children to coastal fishing communities in Scotland and mountain-dwelling farming communities in Austria, and their consequent improvement,  led to the identification of vitamin D, which is obtained directly from the sun or indirectly from fish oil. However it was noted that rickets and tuberculosis frequently co-existed in families and communities, and that tuberculosis also improved on movement to an environment with clean air.

An interesting study undertaken in India and reported in 1922 demonstrated the close association between rickets and tuberculosis. However, unlike in Scotland, the families with these conditions were wealthy and it was the poor who were much more healthy. The poor spent all their time outside on the farms whereas the wealthy, and especially women and young children, were able to stay indoors and keep out of the sun.




Deaths from tuberculosis have declined dramatically but as we have seen in the late 20th century AIDS epidemic, tuberculosis becomes active when immunity is suppressed. Vitamin D deficiency is another form of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome and is linked to activation of tuberculosis.. 

The reason for the decline in TB deaths is not clear, but it must have been due to an improvement in the resistance to the infection. This would be example of  "herd immunity", the spread of inherited immunity within the population. Additional factors would have been much-improved housing and nutrition towards the end of the 19th century. The provision of community parks and the opportunities for annual holidays to railway destinations would have helped improved sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis.











51 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bergamo is at the heart of the covid-19 crisis in Italy. It experienced the highest immigration in the 1970s from southern italy of any area in Italy. It has a large mediterranean population living at a northerly latitude. Vitamin D deficiency could be big factor.

    The stats are here:
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17421772.2010.540035

    ReplyDelete
  3. Actually Bergamo is no.2 and Bologna in Emilia-Romagna had the highest level of immigration from the south. it has 13% CFR and Lombardy has 18% (both very high)
    Confirmed 21,834
    Deaths 2,903

    ReplyDelete
  4. Excellent blog, good to see someone is posting quality information. Thanks for sharing this useful information. Keep up the good work.
    Shop Vitamins Online

    ReplyDelete
  5. but the only hitch about glutathione pills is that you don't get the sufficient glutathione amount your body needs. liposomal glutathione

    ReplyDelete
  6. In case you're thinking about how COVID-19 is influencing paid promoting effort techniques, you're not the only one! Also, the appropriate response is: both adversely and decidedly.
    webinar software free

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lypharbio provide both powder and oil form for vitamin K2 mk4 and mk7 supplements with different specifications. We use pharmaceutical grade excipients, which is suitable for various health-enhancing products. The excipients also can be customized according to customer requirements. Lypharbio supply both natural and synthetic for vitamin mk7 powder. buy vitamin k2 mk7 powder

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice blog and absolutely outstanding. You can do something much better but i still say this perfect.Keep trying for the best. SEO Vancouver

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. Cronaca Abruzzo

    ReplyDelete
  10. TIAM My Signature C Source Vitamin C Serum Volume:30ml has numerous advantages to wellbeing. Musculoskeletal issues are more normal in those with nutrient D lack/inadequacy. This incorporates osteoporosis, an expanded danger of cracks, an expansion danger of falls and diminished muscle work.

    ReplyDelete
  11. There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Thank you for your clear information. latest health updates

    ReplyDelete
  12. I unquestionably truly loved all aspects of it and i likewise have you spared to fav to take a gander at new data in your site.
    Shop Doctor's Best

    ReplyDelete
  13. the 'what', 'when', 'who', and 'how' of each circumstance just to carry help to humanity. n95 face masks for sale

    ReplyDelete
  14. You need to put one little drop of that massage oil behind your ear, so when you and your accomplice are making the rounds, at a gathering or a conference, perhaps in an eatery, he'll get the aroma as it floats past him, and make him crazy until he can get only you. Lubriderm cream won't do that for you! how much cbd oil to give dog

    ReplyDelete
  15. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. dermatologist in Maidenhead

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for sharing this valuable content. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before. indoor air quality

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wellbeing is a condition of complete physical, mental and social prosperity and not only the nonattendance of infection or ailment. Your wellbeing is resolved much of the time by your present body weight. On the off chance that you are either under or over weight you will be in a tough situation wellbeing shrewd eventually. To appreciate great wellbeing you need to watch your weight my companion.CBD

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whenever retained alongside dietary fat, and moved to the liver prior to entering the circulation system, the vitamin is viewed as fat-solvent. tadalafil powder

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great article. I've heard something about this recently but it's good to see some more details on it. Thanks!
    https://www.tracypressurewash.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. For what reason does the invulnerable framework go haywire? Why it happens more in patients who are immunocompromised or with previous conditions? How might we have a more grounded, better working insusceptible framework? https://www.cognitionboosters.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. CBD oil is getting one of the most sultry new items available today. Indeed, yearly deals of CBD oil items in 2018 was almost 600 million and is assessed to be developing at a rate surpassing 107% every year. Preceding 2017, CBD items were accessible just in head shops, normal food stores, and at a couple of specialist's workplaces.visit website

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us. sea moss whole foods

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for picking out the time to discuss this, I feel great about it and love studying more on this topic. It is extremely helpful for me. Thanks for such a valuable help again. source

    ReplyDelete
  24. Such sites are important because they provide a large dose of useful information ... https://www.goshlife.com/vitamin-c-face-serum.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks www

    ReplyDelete
  26. Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out. 안전놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  27. Through my experience, I have tracked down that various terms merit somewhat more explanation than that which they are conceded. https://www.eau-bio.com/the-latest-regulations-on-organic-products-and-what-they-mean/

    ReplyDelete
  28. All the gadgets ought to be sealed to keep away from leakages, breakages, spillage and different associated mishaps.Shipping from China to Usa

    ReplyDelete
  29. i read a lot of stuff and i found that the way of writing to clearifing that exactly want to say was very good so i am impressed and ilike to come again in future.. ฉีดฟิลเลอร์คาง นอนตะแคงได้ไหม

    ReplyDelete
  30. With liposuction, the surgeon can remove stubborn fat deposits, improve your physical appearance by using contouring procedures to give you pleasing curves in all the right places. this post

    ReplyDelete
  31. Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a great day! 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? It is very useful for me. 대전1인샵

    ReplyDelete
  33. Really I enjoy your site with effective and useful information. It is included very nice post with a lot of our resources.thanks for share. i enjoy this post. www.pearlsandpoodles.com/winged-eyeliner-with-spoon/

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. 바둑이게임

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you very much for this great post. 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  36. You completed a few fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all persons will go along with with your blog. 꽁머니 1만

    ReplyDelete
  37. You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you. 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  38. i never know the use of adobe shadow until i saw this post. thank you for this! this is very helpful. 메이저사이트

    ReplyDelete
  39. I admit, I have not been on this web page in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues. 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  40. A very excellent blog post. I am thankful for your blog post. I have found a lot of approaches after visiting your post. 오피사이트

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great article Lot's of information to Read...Great Man Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks 먹튀검증

    ReplyDelete
  42. It's the same topic , but I was quite surprised to see the opinions I didn't think of. My blog also has articles on these topics, so I look forward to your visit.오공슬롯


    ReplyDelete
  43. This incorporates osteoporosis, an expanded danger of cracks, an increment hazard of falls and decreased muscle work. https://m.mydigoo.com/forums-topicdetail-262930.html

    ReplyDelete
  44. Recently, I have started to read a lot of unique articles on different sites, and I am enjoying that a lot. Although, I must tell you that I still like the articles here a lot. They are also unique in their own way. 메이저놀이터


    ReplyDelete
  45. Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin. A group of factors can trigger an increase in melanin production, but the core ones are sun exposure, hormonal influences, age & skin injuries, or sometimes inflammation.
    The best vitamin c serum for hyperpigmentation is the best skin care serum to treat it. It lightens and brightens skin. Rather than simply mask the imperfections, It will restore the natural skin to its former glory. It reduces wrinkles by stimulating the skin. It will boost collagen for a decrease of fine lines. It brightens the skin quickly.

    ReplyDelete

  46. The best time to take r-alpha lipoic acid is on an empty stomach, preferably earlier in the day. This gives the body a chance to work the antioxidant through your system when it is most effective. The average dose is 300 to 600 mg per day, although as much as 1,200 mg per day were used in some clinical studies.

    ReplyDelete
  47. EaseySeries is different. Our program focuses on a variety of body systems for a more thorough, effective approach to cleansing gut cleanse at home

    ReplyDelete
  48. Another examination showed that vitamin D admission is conversely connected with the gamble of colorectal malignant growth. read more

    ReplyDelete
  49. The author's humility is reflected in their willingness to explore different perspectives. It creates a space for open-minded discussion and learning.

    Marble instalallation company in UAQ

    ReplyDelete