My Medical Ally

Essential nutrients: vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin C!

In late winter, many individuals have very low levels of vitamin D. Further, the correlation between low vitamin D and severe COVID infection is is very strong. Also it is known that obese individuals tend to have lower vitamin D levels. The reason is that vitamin D is fat-soluble, so those with a higher body mass index need a larger dose of vitamin D to get an adequate level of this important vitamin. Further, we know that obesity is one of the major determinants of a severe reaction to Covid.

Many if not most people individuals eating a modern diet of processed foods are deficient in magnesium. This essential nutrient is required for hundreds of biochemical reactions. For example, magnesium is an essential co-factor in several steps of vitamin D metabolism, and a deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including anxiety, and can contribute to many diseases, including infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and mental illness. A sufficient level of magnesium along with vitamin D is important in empowering the immune system to prevent infections.

Many individuals who get severe pneumonia along with "cytokine storm" in their lungs require intubation on a ventilator and have a vitamin C level near zero. The level drops when the body is stressed, as its antioxidant function directly attacks toxins and viruses -- which can quickly deplete the body's vitamin C store. This prevents the immune system from functioning properly and directly contributes to severe pneumonia and mortality. An adequate level of vitamin C is essential at all times, especially during mental stress or physical stress caused by disease. In fact, it is known that vitamin C can help to prevent infections.

During an infection, many other essential nutrients are needed at higher levels than many of us get in the diet -- for example vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide), vitamin B12, folate, and selenium. This can be achieved with an excellent diet and additional supplements including a multivitamin.

All these essential nutrients help to keep the body healthy during times of stress.