Hancock reviews virus benefits of vitamin D
Minister advises public to take supplement amid fresh tests over its impact on preventing coronavirus
Matt Hancock has ordered a review into the use of vitamin D for preventing coronavirus, as he advised the public to take the supplement. The Health Secretary said there was “no downside” to vitamin D and that officials would step up public messaging to persuade people of its benefits. In June, a formal review concluded there was insufficient evidence to say that vitamin D protects against the virus, but Mr Hancock told MPS more studies had since emerged.
MATT HANCOCK has ordered a review into the use of vitamin D for preventing coronavirus, as he advised the public to take the supplement.
The Health Secretary said there was “no downside” to vitamin D and that officials will step up public messaging to persuade people of its benefits. This follows a number of studies indicating that poor vitamin D levels are associated with a higher risk of death from Covid-19.
In June, a formal review by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend that vitamin D protects against the virus.
However, Mr Hancock told MPS yesterday that more studies have since come forward.
“I have asked the scientists to look once again at the impact of vitamin D on resistance and immunity,” he said.
“There has been some updated evidence that has come to light in the past few weeks, and I want to ensure that it is fully taken into account.”
He added that the Government would be “increasing the public messaging around vitamin D to make sure people get the message that vitamin D can help with broad health and that there is no downside to taking it, and therefore people should consider that”.
Vital for the immune system, healthy bones and good skin, vitamin D is produced naturally by the body when it comes into contact with the sun.
The NHS recommends people consider taking supplements in the winter.
After lockdown, Dr Alison Tedstone, Public Health England’s chief nutritionist, recommended that everyone take the “sunshine supplement” due to spending so much time indoors.
Scientists have speculated the disproportionately high toll from the virus suffered by people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities may be partly down to endemic low levels.
The Daily Telegraph understands that one of the studies being considered by Mr Hancock’s advisers is an analysis by Ben Gurion University i nvolving around 1.3 million participants, which suggested vitamin D supplementation can cut the risk of death from Covid-19 in some groups by as much as half.
The Israeli team also came across findings appearing to suggest that vitamin D taken in liquid form, rather than tablets, produced the protective effect.
David Davis, the Conservative former minister, is one of a cross-party group of MPS urging Mr Hancock to provide vitamin D to vulnerable groups for free.
“The precautionary principle would argue that we should take decisive action to increase population-wide levels dramatically, as the treatment is cheap, has low risks, has material secondary benefits, and on the basis of the growing body of evidence, has a dramatic primary effect on both Covid infectiousness and morbidity and mortality,” he said. “It is a one-way bet.”
Mr Davis, who has met Mr Hancock to argue for the policy, said he believed government scientists are “split down the middle” on the issue, and wary of self-interested claims made by the supplements industry.
Meanwhile, mushroom sales have soared at British supermarkets as shoppers look for ways to boost their vitamin D before winter.
According to figures released by UK and Ireland Mushroom Producers, Sainsbury’s has seen a significant rise, with sales this year up by 16 per cent, while Tesco sales are up 8 per cent.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London also announced they will recruit 5,000 volunteers to take vitamin D for six months to assess if they are at less risk of catching the virus during the winter months.