When the words – cheap, easy, and fast – are used, you generally can have any two of the three, but not all three. It can be cheap and easy and not fast. It can be easy and fast and not cheap. Or it can be fast and cheap and not easy.
Whether we like it or not, coronavirus is going to be part of our lifestyles for the next couple of years – vaccine or no vaccine. We are not approaching herd immunity and with people restricted to their homes or to 25% of a business (restaurants) or an event (football games), the virus will remain easily accessible to anyone passing by within range.
Vaccine
What options do we really have outside of washing hands frequently, wearing face masks, and social distancing? We are told there are no preventive medicines available. Vaccines on a good day might have a 40% effectiveness rate. A brand new, fully-untested vaccine might only be 10% effective or less on a good day and for a few years after introduction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination_schedule#/media/File:Global-vaccination-coverage.png
Seasonal influenza shots (vaccines) have been given for years. Yet, from 2009/2010 the annual effectiveness of the influenza vaccine is 43.8% with 60% (the best) in 2010/2011 and 19% (the worst) in 2014/2015. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/effectiveness-studies.htm
These are viruses that have been with us for decades. The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is brand new. Vaccine safeguards and testing protocols have been shortened and this worries a lot of people.
What will this short-circuiting approach prove in the long run? Lack of trust in the process will lead many people to pass on getting vaccinated until they see positive results in other people.
Worst Case
The worst-case for many of us is that we become infected and have severe symptoms, but we recover. The true worst case is death, but that risk seems to be reserved for the elderly with pre-existing conditions. The best case is that we catch the virus and never know it. And we hope that we do not infect anyone with pre-existing conditions while we are contagious.
As restrictions are lifted and people circulate more (with and without social distancing) we will see new cases of COVID-19 skyrocket. It has happened and it will happen again. Keeping people away from each other is not a cure, just a delay.
The worst case of catching the virus and having symptoms requiring hospitalization is probably a realistic worst-case scenario for some of us. Most of us will return to our homes and wait the two weeks in quarantine. What options – cheap, easy, and fast – might some of us have to reduce the intensity of symptoms that could push us into the ICU wing of a hospital?
Cheap, Easy, and Fast
An article I came across this week discussed a small-scale study with vitamin D. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-d-sufficiency-may-reduce-complications-of-covid-19. I am an advocate for vitamin D and preach it a lot when I speak on health and wellness.
Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D. Doctors do not include this simple, easy, and fast test as part of their blood test arsenal to assess their patients’ vitamin D levels. Why? I do not know. It should be tested annually, but it is not.
I always ask for it along with other blood tests for my annual physical. I am told that my insurance might not pay for it and I would be responsible for the cost if that occurred. I have never had to pay for this test. It is available locally and online in many places.
https://bit.ly/3nD4YTy is a link that indicates the cost under $100 ($48 for one company and $70 for another) for several companies Googled for cost and availability. Test results are generally within two or three days.
What does vitamin D do with regards to COVID-19 symptoms? The study reported that patients with sufficient levels of vitamin D were less likely to have life-threatening complications if hospitalized with COVID-19. This report was just published in the journal PLOS ONE (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239799)
Many people would benefit if their coronavirus symptoms were less intense. Hospitalizations would be fewer. The length of hospital visits would decrease. The possibility of being quarantined rather than admitted to the hospital also increases.
Vitamin D is a personal treatment that everyone can incorporate into their daily regimen. Our society has been warned to stay out of the sun, wear long-sleeved shirts and hats, and put on copious amounts of sunblock several times a day.
I am a redhead who loves the sun. I take precautions when playing golf for hours outside in the middle of summer. However, I do not take the recommended self-protection options when going out for my daily hour walk. Sunlight is good for us. If your skin tone makes you (like me) susceptible to skin cancer, then see a dermatologist a couple or more times a year. I see mine every four months.
Vitamin D helps our bodies in many ways. This article is focused on the reduction in the severity of COVID-19 symptoms by using vitamin D as a personal treatment option. https://www.health.com/nutrition/vitamins-supplements/vitamin-d-benefits lists several other health benefits.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is cheap, easy, and fast. It can make a difference in many aspects of your health. The stronger your immune system, the better chance you have of fighting off foreign invaders from colds, influenza, and maybe even coronavirus.
Winter is approaching. Sunlight in America will decrease daily for the next couple of months. Supplementation is an option for consideration. The study cited in one of the links was a small study.
Some doctors do not believe in the ability of vitamin D to improve any aspect of your health.
Doctors are not trained in nutrition and this is understandable. The CDC, the WHO, pharmaceutical companies, and some health professionals want placebo, controlled, randomized, blinded, clinical trials before making an opinion.
The FDA will not test food products or supplements to make any health claims. Do you believe that vitamin D is of value? It is a personal decision. However, any personal decisions while under a doctor’s care should be in consultation with your physician before making any changes to your normal routine – supplements included!
Life Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com
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