KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 have consistently increased per day, so that currently there are more than 230,000 active cases. The government has guaranteed the availability of antiviral drugs to deal with the third wave of threats related to the emergence of the Omicron variant, so what about the availability of vitamins?
According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE, Vitamin D plays an important role in preventing severe symptoms of COVID-19 patients. The study involved 1,176 Covid-19 patients who were hospitalized from April 2020 to February 2021.
The study also revealed that the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D deficiency was around 25.6 percent. Meanwhile, the mortality rate for COVID-19 patients with adequate vitamin D levels is much lower, at 2.3%.
To ensure the availability of Vitamin D, the government through the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has now updated the rules. Previously in Indonesia, only 400 IU of Vitamin D was allowed to be produced, but to anticipate a shortage, doses above 1000 IU can be produced.
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The chairman of the Indonesian Allergy and Immunology Association, Prof. Dr. dr. Iris Rengganis, Sp.PD-KAI, FINASIM., as well as Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant Allergy Immunology Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Jakarta, said that vitamin D is a vitamin that is needed by almost all of our organs that have receptors. Specially, this vitamin D regulates the immune system and increases the activity of immune cells against viruses and bacteria.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, it is indeed recommended to meet daily needs related to vitamin D. Taking 1000 IU of vitamin D3 can be done, but if you want it right, you have to have a blood test. If it is low, we can recommend up to 5,000 IU a day, especially if there is an illness,” said Iris in her statement, Monday (14/2).
Iris said that taking 1000 IU of vitamin D3 once a day without checking blood is a safe dose. Consuming this vitamin D3 should be taken in the morning with food because it is fat soluble.
Vitamin D3 has also been included in the Guidelines for the Management of COVID-19 Edition 4 which was compiled by 5 medical professional organizations and released in January 2022. The guideline which is a reference for health care facilities in dealing with COVID-19 explains that Vitamin D3 1000 IU – 5000 IU is used as treat patients with all levels of symptoms. Vitamin D3 was given for 14 days.
Indonesian pharmaceutical companies guarantee availability by producing and distributing 1000 IU Vitamin D3 according to BPOM regulations. One of the pharmaceutical companies that produces 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 is PT Dexa Medica through its Oxyvit product.
“We produce Oxyvit D3 with preparations softgel which is halal, Vitamin D3 in the form of which oil bioavailability twice better than the capsule/tablet form. We strive to continuously develop our capabilities and capacities to produce high quality products. Through this strong commitment to quality, we want to meet people’s needs for health products, including Vitamin D3 products,” said Dr. Raymond Tjandrawinata, Molecular Pharmacologist PT Dexa Medica.
In addition to COVID-19 patients, Vitamin D3 can also increase the body’s resistance so as to prevent various diseases. Vitamin D3 can also help the healing process of disease.
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