With everyone stuck at home, it might be beneficial to know that stepping outside for even 15 minutes a day may help alleviate some of the COVID-19 symptoms—if you were to catch it.
Standing in the sun for 15 minutes (a little longer if you have darker skin) will generate enough vitamin D to help support your immune system.1
If you don’t like standing outside or there is no sun for a while because of winter, then vitamin D supplements can reduce the risk of respiratory infections. A respiratory infection can result in cytokine storms—a vicious cycle in which our inflammatory cells damage organs throughout the body. This can increase mortality for those with COVID-19. Adequate vitamin D might provide some modest protection for people who are vulnerable.
Vitamin D has been added to milk for years, so people who drink milk will already have sufficient levels. Those who eat a lot of eggs or fatty fish like salmon might already have enough vitamin D in their systems.
It is possible to ingest too much vitamin D. As a caution, make sure to reference the link provided about vitamin D so as not to overdose.1
With the weather warming up because of spring, going outside might be one of the easiest things to do to support your body. And you can go out and see the wonderful creations that God has made. Take a magnifying glass out with you. Look closely, God is in the details.
References
1. Vitamin D Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Posted on nih.gov August 7, 2019, accessed March 24, 2020.
2. Romans 1:20, NKJV.
*William West is IT Systems Administrator at the Institute for Creation Research and earned his Master of Christian Education from ICR’s School of Biblical Apologetics. Article reviewed by Dr. Randy J. Guliuzza.
