Paying attention to the role of vitamin D in strengthening the body’s immune system, including the prevention of acute respiratory diseases, and in the current situation in order to deal with the corona virus, while repeatedly emphasizing the continuation of the implementation of vitamin D supplementation in age groups based on the national program of supplementation, materials for clarification in The media aims to raise the awareness of the society and neutralize the rumors of some uninformed people in recommending excessive use or stopping the use of vitamin D supplements as follows.
Due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the society, it is not necessary to measure the serum level of vitamin D before giving a megadose or preventive dose (a supplement of 50,000 units per month).
Vitamin D, as a fat-soluble vitamin, has many roles in the body, including participating in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in bone health and strengthening the immune system.
Vitamin D deficiency has been seen in the occurrence of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.
Among the strategies to prevent and control the lack of micronutrients in the health care system of the country are: supplementing aid, food enrichment, and education and modification of the community’s dietary pattern.
Vitamin D can be obtained from three sources: production in the body through direct exposure to sunlight, consumption of foods and beverages containing vitamin D, and supplementation.
Due to the fact that vitamin D deficiency is currently one of the most common problems in the country. So that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varies from about 24% in children aged 15-23 months to 86% in pregnant mothers, and this deficiency is more common in cities than in rural areas in all age groups.
Supplements prescribed through the health care system provide part of the needs and the rest must be obtained through food sources containing calcium (milk and dairy products, cabbage, legumes, etc.) and vitamin D (fatty fish, dairy products, egg yolks). and . . . ) to be provided.
It should be mentioned that the highest tolerable intake level (Limit Upper) of vitamin D according to age and physiological group for adults is 4000 international units per day and for calcium it is equal to 2500 mg per day. Consuming more than 10/000 IU per day in the long term can cause poisoning.
Simultaneous consumption of 50,000 units of vitamin D supplement with calcium D tablets is without problems and is within the safe range in terms of vitamin D intake. Calcium supplement should be taken with or after food.
In order to prevent vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women, it is necessary to take daily supplement (1000 units daily) for pregnant mothers.
Due to the fact that the injectable type of vitamin “D” does not have good bioavailability, therefore, its injectable form is not recommended at the level of preventing the deficiency of this vitamin.
Symptoms of vitamin D poisoning:
In acute poisoning with vitamin D, an increase in blood calcium (hypercalcemia) occurs. Relatively high and long-term consumption of vitamin D may cause hardening of the arteries (calcification of the vessel wall).
In case of incorrect and excessive consumption of this vitamin accidentally or intentionally, complications such as constipation, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, loss of appetite, excessive drinking, dry mouth, iron taste in the mouth, nausea and loss of appetite may occur. Urinary frequency and vomiting weight loss have also been reported.
In the end, considering that the decision-making authority in the implementation of health care programs is the World Health Organization, in order to eliminate rumors and instructions regarding increasing or stopping the use of vitamin D supplements in the current conditions for the prevention and control of Corona, the following are the steps: informs:
The use of vitamin D supplements in relation to the disease with the corona virus:
Currently, the World Health Organization has not provided any new recommendations regarding the use of vitamin D supplements to prevent respiratory diseases. According to the latest meta-analysis studies on the World Health Organization website, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on infectious diseases, including respiratory diseases in children, has not been shown, and there is still no scientific evidence in this regard. The latest meta-analysis has shown that vitamin D supplementation is effective in the prevention and control of acute respiratory infections, and this positive effect was observed more in people whose serum vitamin D was less than 25 nmol/liter. Also, administration of vitamin D supplements in high doses has less effect.
Solution for treatment, control and prevention of vitamin D deficiency:
For patients with serum levels of vitamin D less than 10 ng/ml, the usual treatment methods prescribed by the doctor are as follows:
Dose of 50,000 international units of vitamin D orally once a week for adults for 8 weeks and then according to the national plan, continue with one pearl of 50,000 units.
A dose of 50,000 international units of vitamin D orally once a week for adolescents aged 12 to 18 for 6 weeks, and then according to the national program, we continue with one pearl of 50,000 units.
The goal is to raise the level of vitamin D (serum 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3) to above 30 ng/ml.
