Vitamin D and the Immune System 3_22_2020

So, I ask myself, “since I have heard that Vitamin D helps with the immune system- how does it work to bolster the immune system?”

Here is what I found out.

Vitamin D is either formed in the skin or ingested. It is carried to the liver where it is converted to the prohormone calcifediol and released in the bloodstream. Calcifediol is then converted by the kidneys to calcitriol, the biologically active form of Vitamin D. However, the monocyte-macrophages can synthesize calcitriol on their own. The calcitriol acts locally as a cytokine, that helps body defenses against microbial invaders by stimulating the innate immune system.

I wonder if supplementing with Vitamin D would be beneficial during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and possibly as a regular practice. You can decide for yourself.

The European Food Safety Authority allows these claims:
● the normal function of the immune system[109]
● normal inflammatory response[109]
● normal muscle function[109]
● reduced risk of falling in people over age 60[110
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D#Mechanism_of_action