Do you need a vitamin D supplement during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Your body depends on vitamin D. And one of the ways to get it is by being outside. That’s because the sun’s UV rays activate vitamin D production.

So if you’re staying indoors more during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you might be wondering if you need to take a vitamin D supplement.

To find out, we talked with Susan Chon, M.D., a dermatologist in MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Center.

Why do you need vitamin D?

Vitamin D is most commonly linked to bone health and keeping your bones strong. But that’s not all it does. Vitamin D also:

• reduces inflammation
• supports your immune system
• strengthens muscles and reduces spasms and cramping
• helps with glucose metabolism
• regulates cell growth

“Vitamin D is really critical for the body because it has all these different jobs,” says Chon. “If your vitamin D level is low, it can make you more susceptible to osteoporosis, cancer and chronic diseases like heart disease, depression, diabetes and weight loss.”

For cancer patients, vitamin D may also affect survival rates.

“There is definitely some interesting research that having a healthy level of vitamin D may actually help you live longer,” says Chon.

If you’re indoors more during the COVID-19 pandemic, will it affect your vitamin D level?

If you’re staying inside more during the coronavirus pandemic, your vitamin D level may drop.

But it’s hard to say if the sun was providing you with the right amount, even before COVID-19, Chon notes.

“While you do get some vitamin D from your daily comings and goings outside, it’s not enough,” she says.

UV levels differ across the country, and you might not process it well depending on your age and the pigments in your skin.

“Sunlight is just one way to get vitamin D, and it’s certainly not the most efficient,” says Chon.

It’s more efficient to get vitamin D from your diet. You can get vitamin D in many foods like salmon, eggs, yogurt, milk, juices and even mushrooms.

If you try to boost your vitamin D by spending more time in the sun, you may also damage your skin and increase your risk for skin cancer.

“Some people are spending more time outdoors in their backyard, or exercising in their neighborhood because of COVID-19, and they may be increasing their overall sun exposure,” says Chon. “If you’re going to spend more time outdoors, it’s important to take more care with your skin protection routine.”

Should you take a vitamin D supplement during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Some people may still struggle to get enough vitamin D through diet.

But talk to your doctor and get your vitamin D level checked at your annual physical to determine if you really need to take a supplement.

“There are some early findings that suggest that those patients who have optimal levels of vitamin D may decrease their risk of contracting COVID-19 and the severity of the disease if they contract it,” says Chon. “But more research is needed to understand the connection between COVID-19 and vitamin D.”

If your doctor does recommend a supplement, they’ll tell you how much to take based your age and other factors. Be sure to follow this advice. It is possible to get too much vitamin D, which could increase levels of calcium in your blood, leading to bone and kidney issues.

Do cancer patients need a vitamin D supplement?

If you are a cancer patient, your oncologist can talk to you about supplements.

“Vitamin D supplements are relatively safe, but there are a few interactions with other medications that can occur,” says Chon.

“The best thing to do is to get a lab test from your doctor, and they may recommend that you take a supplement,” says Chon. “People should know their vitamin D level before taking any action.”

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