A small, randomized study found that of 50 people hospitalized with COVID-19 who were given a high dose of a type of vitamin D (calcifediol), only one needed treatment in the intensive care unit. In contrast, among the 26 people with COVID-19 who weren't given calcifediol, 13 needed to be treated in the intensive care unit. ...snip... In addition, vitamin D deficiency is common in the United States, particularly among Hispanic and Black people. These groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Vitamin D deficiency is also more common in people who are older, people who have a body mass index of 30 or higher (obesity), and people who have high blood pressure (hypertension). These factors also increase the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms.
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from the study
Treated patients also received oral calcifediol consisting of one 532 mcg soft capsule (a big 21,280 I.U. or ten of the typical 2000 IU tablets or Gummies) on the day of admission and 266 mcg (10,640 IU.) on days 3 and 7, then weekly until discharge. Calcifediol was used rather than alternative vitamin D formulations because of its reliable intestinal absorption and rapid restoration of serum concentration. The dosage is well within the safe dosage guidelines for critically ill patients with low 250HD plasma levels (12,500 mcg as a single dose) from the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism [20], even when adjusted for the higher absorption of calcifediol compared to vitamin D3.
