Coronavirus thread

[Pohjolas Daughter]

You're wasting your money. There is simply no evidence that popping vitamin pills does anything for people who are already getting micronutrients from their food.

Well, what if they aren't?  In terms of vitamin D (for example) a fair number of people aren't getting enough--particularly older folks.  I don't know enough re what this means in terms of Covid to comment.  Just asking a question.

PD

[ShineyMcShineShine]

Got vaccinated for shingles yesterday and I'm feeling a bit sore today. I had been putting it off until I heard that contracting COVID put me at increased risk for shingles. My neighbor got shingles last year and said it was no fun at all.

[krummholz]

You're More Likely to Get Heart Issues From COVID-19 Than the Vaccine

For a deeper dive into the same question: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/covid-not-all-myocarditis-created-equal-2024a1000fl3

[Karl Henning]

Got vaccinated for shingles yesterday and I'm feeling a bit sore today. I had been putting it off until I heard that contracting COVID put me at increased risk for shingles. My neighbor got shingles last year and said it was no fun at all.

Certainly to be well avoided. 

[Madiel]

Well, what if they aren't?  In terms of vitamin D (for example) a fair number of people aren't getting enough--particularly older folks.  I don't know enough re what this means in terms of Covid to comment.  Just asking a question.

PD

My understanding is in general that vitamins and supplements can help if you're actually deficient, yes. I've taken a couple at the instruction of my GP when blood tests showed I was low (folate was one, which at the time generated a stream of jokes about pregnancy).

I don't know enough about the efficacy of vitamin D pills, specifically, in helping with a deficiency. But I did find this interesting: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need-to-stay-healthy

Much of that article is about how deficiency is NOT widespread despite people previously thinking it was. It's a good read.

One of the things to be wary about is the assumption that it doesn't matter HOW you are consuming a nutrient. There are cases where popping a pill simply doesn't work. Turmeric is an example I know; the cooking process is important to the benefits of turmeric, and swallowing some in a pill ain't doing much.

Another non-nutrient example is some of the flavourings in vapes, which are certified as safe to eat but are showing signs of being dangerous when inhaled.

[ShineyMcShineShine]

One of the things to be wary about is the assumption that it doesn't matter HOW you are consuming a nutrient.

Another consideration is that some vitamins come in different forms, some of which are better absorbed than others. But IMO the biggest worry is that the industry is entirely unregulated, so you have no idea what's really in the tablet or capsule you're swallowing. It could be nothing but floor sweepings from a factory in China.

[Madiel]

Another consideration is that some vitamins come in different forms, some of which are better absorbed than others. But IMO the biggest worry is that the industry is entirely unregulated, so you have no idea what's really in the tablet or capsule you're swallowing. It could be nothing but floor sweepings from a factory in China.

Yes, though the extent of regulation would probably be different in different countries. But there's often an issue because they're not covered by either medicine regulation or food safety. And floor sweepings are probably safe...

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Got vaccinated for shingles yesterday and I'm feeling a bit sore today. I had been putting it off until I heard that contracting COVID put me at increased risk for shingles. My neighbor got shingles last year and said it was no fun at all.

I haven't heard that re Covid, but did hear that it could create soreness and best to not get it with another vaccine...perhaps that was with a Covid shot--I forget.  Think that was what I was told at the time.

I have seen an acquaintance dealing with shingles; it looked like he was going through long and major pain.

PD

[steve ridgway]

I have seen an acquaintance dealing with shingles; it looked like he was going through long and major pain.

Yes, my wife had it due to stress when her father died. She tried all sorts to clear it and finally got better while taking high dose vitamin D and magnesium.

When people get chickenpox, the virus stays in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone's immune system is weakened.

This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy. - NHS

[steve ridgway]

I don't know enough about the efficacy of vitamin D pills, specifically, in helping with a deficiency. But I did find this interesting: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need-to-stay-healthy

Much of that article is about how deficiency is NOT widespread despite people previously thinking it was. It's a good read.

Very interesting thank you. I've passed the link to my wife who may undertake more research to try to determine exactly who's lying for money. If only humans would tell the truth the world would be a much better place .

[AnotherSpin]

Very interesting thank you. I've passed the link to my wife who may undertake more research to try to determine exactly who's lying for money. If only humans would tell the truth the world would be a much better place .

To speak the truth, one have to think the truth, and that is impossible. Truth is beyond thinking. That is why the world is pretty much fucked up.

[steve ridgway]

To speak the truth, one have to think the truth, and that is impossible. Truth is beyond thinking. That is why the world is pretty much fucked up.

I'm happy with the hard science like the biochemical diagram in the vitamin D article, but beyond that things get very uncertain.

[AnotherSpin]

I'm happy with the hard science like the biochemical diagram in the vitamin D article, but beyond that things get very uncertain.

I agree, some of the diagrams look pretty. Contrasting colours, sharp spikes or, on the contrary, smooth lines.

[Madiel]

To speak the truth, one have to think the truth, and that is impossible. Truth is beyond thinking. That is why the world is pretty much fucked up.

So when you equate covid and influenza, you're not attempting to speak the truth. Good to have this confirmed.

[Florestan]

To speak the truth, one have to think the truth, and that is impossible. Truth is beyond thinking.

If this were true, then it would also be false.

Anyway, if you think (pun) it's true, then why don't you renounce thinking and speech altogether? By your own token, they are both rather useless.

[DavidW]

If this were true, then it would also be false.

Anyway, if you think (pun) it's true, then why don't you renounce thinking and speech altogether? By your own token, they are both rather useless.

Yeah, this kind of philosophical naval gazing seems best for buzzed college students at 3 am!

[Florestan]

naval gazing

Nice and rather appropriate typo. Pseudo-philosophy which simply misses the ship of life because believing one's own ticket to be a forgery... 

[Karl Henning]

Yeah, this kind of philosophical naval gazing seems best for buzzed college students at 3 am!

Is that roach still lit?

[DavidW]

Nice and rather appropriate typo. Pseudo-philosophy which simply misses the ship of life because believing one's own ticket to be a forgery... 

Ha! Good catch!

[AnotherSpin]

Yeah, this kind of philosophical naval gazing seems best for buzzed college students at 3 am!

Obviously you didn't understand what I said. There is no philosophy. But okay.