4 ms·

One fair point "Floyd said, “are talking about washing your hands, but why aren’t they talking about things you can do to boost your immune system like vitamin

by Zenst 7y ago

One fair point "Floyd said, “are talking about washing your hands, but why aren’t they talking about things you can do to boost your immune system like vitamin D?" Given that in some countries in the northern hemisphere we are seeing a disproportionate number of ethnic minorities deaths from this, the aspect that vitamin D or lack of, does seem to be a factor and certainly one in which such advice would do more good than any harm I can think of beyond stock pilers effect. Though lack of vitamin D is not something that is the prevail of any pigment, just more likely and given the data, I'm supprised that such advice is not more vocalised. Though for many it will be basic health knowledge akin to basic first aid, that many is not all. For reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1211435 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1211435 https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-review-to-be-launched-into-why-ethnic-minorities-worst-hit-by-covid-19-11974116 https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-review-to-be-launched...

Tainnor 7y ago
I don't find this evidence convincing. Your first link just lists health benefits of vitamin D, and discusses how different ethnicities absorb it differently, which I don't want to dispute. The second link just states that minority populations are more at risk without making any link to vitamin D. This is, at best, a correlation (in fact, I'm not even sure the data does go that far) and implies no causal mechanism. Sure, if vitamin D is healthy, which it probably is, do go outside and get some more (though do beware of sunburns). As it stands right now, I haven't heard of any claims linking this to Coronavirus yet, though. What's more problematic is the claim that you should "get vitamin D to boost your immune system". Even if that worked (I don't believe it does), you don't want to necessarily boost it because that might lead to bad consequences. [1] In fact, people have died from covid19 in part due to the immune system overreacting. [2] [1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-eating/what-can-you-do-to-improve-your-immune-system https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-eating/what-can-you-d... [2] https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/ https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/
- lpah4all 7y ago
  The more melanin a person has the less D their skin makes per same time of exposure. That explains the minority differences. My wife's son is a doctor. He specifically told us to take D supplements, but not the kids. That you are willing to even argue this is detrimental to society because you are obviously too stupid to know how stupid you are, which involves a lot of "I don't really know but I'll just spout off my misinformed opinions that could affect someone else's life." Having low D levels indicates an immune system that is not functioning at its best. You should excuse yourself from these conversions with an apology, but your ego probably can't do that, can it?
  - Tainnor 7y ago
    First of all, "my wife's son is a doctor" is not evidence. Second, of all, your inflammatory tone is unwarranted and adds nothing of value. It would be better if you actually looked at the sources and referenced those in your critique. Of course, it would also be good if you didn't misconstrue my argument, e.g. I neither claimed that there are no vitamin D absorption differences between ethnicities, nor that low levels of vitamin D aren't a problem; low levels of any vital nutritional element are a problems. I did state that I haven't yet seen evidence of a direct link from increased (i.e. more than average) vitamin D intake to a lower probability of being infected with or being seriously affected by covid19.
    - lpah4all 7y ago
      Dunning & Kruger. I know where you are on the spectrum and I know you are not in the group you think you are. My wife's son's medical advice is the result of his being an ICU Pulmonary physician. He is giving the best advice a top doctor at a top hospital can give. But you have provided ample evidence you're an idiot, so you've got that going for you. And my tone is absolutely warranted because you're an idiot giving medical opinion. If you want to do humanity a service, destroy your keyboard.
- Zenst 7y ago
  Sure it's a correlation, in much the same way SAD syndrome more prevalent the further North you go. But some things may well have better papers or links, I was just pointing out what seems to be logical - however - watch this please: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSXNGc7pfs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSXNGc7pfs A Doctor who has been doing a fair and most excellent overview with a critical mind upon this whole COVID-19 from early on and focused upon evidence. He covers things in a way that may hold more gravitas to that aspect. One of the many useful reference links from that video that I think covers all this fair and square. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32252338 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32252338

by Zenst 7y ago

Tainnor 7y ago

I don't find this evidence convincing. Your first link just lists health benefits of vitamin D, and discusses how different ethnicities absorb it differently, which I don't want to dispute. The second link just states that minority populations are more at risk without making any link to vitamin D. This is, at best, a correlation (in fact, I'm not even sure the data does go that far) and implies no causal mechanism. Sure, if vitamin D is healthy, which it probably is, do go outside and get some more (though do beware of sunburns). As it stands right now, I haven't heard of any claims linking this to Coronavirus yet, though. What's more problematic is the claim that you should "get vitamin D to boost your immune system". Even if that worked (I don't believe it does), you don't want to necessarily boost it because that might lead to bad consequences. [1] In fact, people have died from covid19 in part due to the immune system overreacting. [2] [1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-eating/what-can-you-do-to-improve-your-immune-system https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-eating/what-can-you-d... [2] https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/ https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/

lpah4all 7y ago
The more melanin a person has the less D their skin makes per same time of exposure. That explains the minority differences. My wife's son is a doctor. He specifically told us to take D supplements, but not the kids. That you are willing to even argue this is detrimental to society because you are obviously too stupid to know how stupid you are, which involves a lot of "I don't really know but I'll just spout off my misinformed opinions that could affect someone else's life." Having low D levels indicates an immune system that is not functioning at its best. You should excuse yourself from these conversions with an apology, but your ego probably can't do that, can it?
- Tainnor 7y ago
  First of all, "my wife's son is a doctor" is not evidence. Second, of all, your inflammatory tone is unwarranted and adds nothing of value. It would be better if you actually looked at the sources and referenced those in your critique. Of course, it would also be good if you didn't misconstrue my argument, e.g. I neither claimed that there are no vitamin D absorption differences between ethnicities, nor that low levels of vitamin D aren't a problem; low levels of any vital nutritional element are a problems. I did state that I haven't yet seen evidence of a direct link from increased (i.e. more than average) vitamin D intake to a lower probability of being infected with or being seriously affected by covid19.
  - lpah4all 7y ago
    Dunning & Kruger. I know where you are on the spectrum and I know you are not in the group you think you are. My wife's son's medical advice is the result of his being an ICU Pulmonary physician. He is giving the best advice a top doctor at a top hospital can give. But you have provided ample evidence you're an idiot, so you've got that going for you. And my tone is absolutely warranted because you're an idiot giving medical opinion. If you want to do humanity a service, destroy your keyboard.
Zenst 7y ago
Sure it's a correlation, in much the same way SAD syndrome more prevalent the further North you go. But some things may well have better papers or links, I was just pointing out what seems to be logical - however - watch this please: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSXNGc7pfs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSXNGc7pfs A Doctor who has been doing a fair and most excellent overview with a critical mind upon this whole COVID-19 from early on and focused upon evidence. He covers things in a way that may hold more gravitas to that aspect. One of the many useful reference links from that video that I think covers all this fair and square. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32252338 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32252338