Coronavirus signs: 'Big concern' - Dr Chris sends urgent warning on vitamin D supplements

CORONAVIRUS is a deadly viral infection that's killed more than 34,000 people in the UK. ITV This Morning's Dr Chris Steele has sent an urgent warning to the elderly in care homes over vitamin D supplements, revealing that the 'sunshine' vitamin could lower your risk of deadly complications from COVID-19 symptoms. Coronavirus lockdown has forced Public Health England (PHE) to extend its recommendation on vitamin D supplements, urging the public to continue taking 10mcg of vitamin supplements every day. Dr Chris has explained why the elderly are most at risk of a vitamin D deficiency, and why they'd benefit from taking a supplement. ITV This Morning's resident doctor, Dr Chris Steele, revealed that the elderly would be more at risk of severe coronavirus complications, as they're more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. The so-called 'sunshine' vitamin boosts the body's immune system, and helps to protect against viruses and infections, he said. While the older generation are "notoriously" deficient in vitamin D, it's more important now than ever that everyone takes a vitamin D supplement. PHE has also urged the public to continue taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the COVID-19 lockdown, as fewer people are leaving their homes and having access to sunlight. "Vitamin D may reduce the inflammatory response to virus infections, and of course we are deficient in vitamin D," said Dr Chris. "Public Health England says all adults should be taking a vitamin D supplement. "This doesn't prevent you from getting COVID-19, but certainly there's a lot of evidence to show that it reduces the severity of the illness. "The elderly are notoriously low on vitamin D. The elderly in care homes and nursing homes... they aren't getting outside. "The elderly with low vitamin D, their muscles are weak so they fall, their bones are weak so they fracture their bones, but now the big concern is low vitamin D having adverse effects if they get COVID-19, and they're going to face severe side-effects and severity of symptoms as they go through the disease process." If you do decide to take vitamin D supplements, you should always check the label for information on daily doses, he added. Some labels describe doses in micrograms (mcg), while others use International Units (IUs). Everyone should be aiming for 10mcg of vitamin D a day, which is the equivalent to around 400IU, said Dr Chris. If it's available, you should also aim to buy vitamin D3 supplements, as they're more easily metabolised in the body. During the winter months, the government usually recommends that the public takes vitamin D supplements. During the summer months, everyone usually gets enough vitamin D from sunlight. If you'd prefer not to take supplements, you could always top up on vitamin D by making some diet swaps. The best food sources of vitamin D include oily fish, eggs, some mushrooms, and red meat. Meanwhile, the most common coronavirus symptoms include having a high fever, and developing a new, continuous cough. Anybody that feels hot to the touch on their chest or back could be showing early coronavirus symptoms. Similarly, anyone that's been coughing more than usual for longer than a one-hour period, or if they've had at least three coughing episodes every 24 hours, should self-isolate.