Any thoughts on this?
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Direct correlation between Vitamin D and Covid:
Interesting, but my main question would be: it the maximum change of -3.5% bone mineral density functionally significant so that fractures would increase? Might the bone strength change in a different way from BMD? Normal aging during the 3-year study might account for about a -1% change in BMD.
btw, for Vitamin D conversion, 100nmol/L = 40ng/ml, and the highest supplemented group they measured had 188nmol/ml = 75ng/ml, usually considered to be the high end of normal.
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Yeah honestly I still am in the camp that most people are not getting enough Vit D and supplementation would not hurt. I get sunlight and take Vit D , but just saw his post and was wondering how everyone else felt about it
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I think the study I referenced was linking lower levels of Vitamin D as being correlated to worse Covid outcomes. Or, conversely…
Not a treatment post infection. Just interesting.
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Yeah definitely interesting, again I just see conflicting literature out there that I am not sure about Vit D. That’s why I just wanted opinions
Unless the studies measure blood levels, and not just doses taken I would argue the data is meaningless.
NB: I have both osteopenia and mild autoimmune issue, and for me I’m comfortable taking higher doses getting blood tests to keep in the desired range ie for me at least 40 (forget units).
I have 99 percentile age matched on DEXA with a relatively low calcium intake, ruled out bone disorders, here’s what I do. I’m sure you already know most of these but maybe you may find something worth researching and consulting with a specialist for your situation.
- Vitamin K2 MK-7 and certain strains of Lactobacillus (> 10B CFUs per serving) from natto and live sauerkraut in diet
- Vitamin D3 1,000 IU per day (USP grade, not in sun, not of obese habitus)
- Avoid high caffeine intake (used to be 2-3 standard cups, avoid 4+ cups, now I can’t mix stimulants too much so I avoid coffee and just drink green tea)
- Avoid soda
- Avoid alcohol (interferes with Vit D and calcium)
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid Vitamin A supplements, use beta carotene from carrots as Vit A source
- Dietary calcium is on the lower-normal end, but I tend to take fermented food which is likely more bioavailable. I only take a calcium carbonate supplement (USP grade only, some calcium supplements are linked to heavy metals) right before blood donation/plasma donation, never anytime else.
- Magnesium from nuts (+/- Magtein supplement for sleep)
- Resistance training (close to 95% 1RM personally)
- Balance exercises (rock climbing)
- Consider PCP prescribe bisphosphonates if >age 50, T-score is between –1 and –2.5 at the hip or
spine, 10-year FRAX-estimated risk of >
20% for a major fracture OR >3% for a hip fracture - Follow the clinical trials that may one day take on experimental ER-alpha targeting 17-alpha-estradiol (non-feminizing) for men. The male case study with estrogen insensitivity syndrome (ER-alpha specific) had early onset osteoporosis in the 20s.
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I had pneumonia in 2013 and found vitamin D levels at 19 ng/mL. Have taken supplements since then to maintain at least 60 ng/mL. (tested 2x per year)
Never had a cold or any sickness since - no Covid and no vax and I traveled all over the country (25 states) during the pandemic and work at a front desk interacting with employees and customer who I know have been sick an don’t wear any masks.
Also take K2/K7 supplement
just an anecdote
My BMI is also under 20 which no doubt helps too
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What kind of green tea do you drink? Have you tried Yerba mate?
I have tried Yerba twice, but I don’t take it regularly.
I go between organic matcha green tea (ceremonial grade from Japan) or various crops of organic green tea/organic jasmine green tea (I have a trusted supplier in China that is 100% sure it’s organic - you can rent a small drone remotely to monitor farming practices) with purple ukon, mugwort, cat’s whiskers, powdered goya, and/or guava leaves (not supplement). To be clear, I don’t take ECGC/green tea extract or herbal supplements though.
The green tea crop has to be “stressed out” and hopefully that translates in SIRT-related compounds.
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Do you have a recommendation of good green tea brands that you have found? I usually just buy the general ones you can get at the store, but on the occasions I have had the honor of having traditionally prepared tea ( in Japan), it tastes completely different.
Depends on what you value - cost-effectiveness is not my main goal (I just don’t like the feeling of getting scammed) because I’m pretty set for life and can retire anytime, but for many other people, it isn’t the case. Taste and feel are what I value in tea - I don’t mean to come off snobby but that’s just how I choose to irrationally spend my discretionary funds.
As long as it’s organic and has the distinct color for the ceremonial grade that’s what I would get if I was on some budget. It tends to be the Japanese ones. There are plenty of brands to shop around from.
Making tea takes time though. For some people, that’s an issue. Most people who aren’t in dire poverty may value their time for about $30-50/hr or so.
So…if you care about convenience (just pour in water) using new crystal tea methods, here is what I got when residency gets really short on time that will probably apply in that scenario: Matcha Green Fasting Tea | Fasting Tea Formulated With Dr. Jason Fung | Pique Tea
I have no affiliation with this company. It’s not an affiliate link.
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This is the matcha tea powder that I use. I found it is nice for a smoothie or baking. It is not ceremonial grade and not as smooth and fine as others. But it is cost effective.
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