(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) released the following statement after news that Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has made a public assertion that vitamins D and C can “lessen your susceptibility to infection” and recommended that people take vitamin D supplements as he does.
In April, Grothman sent a letter to Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Stephen Hahn, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), asking if their agencies had evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplements in relationship with COVID-19.
In May, Grothman issued a press release addressing medical research studies out of Northwestern University and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland asserting that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in increasing the severity of symptoms and overall mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Since then, Grothman has encouraged people to take vitamin deficiencies seriously and has championed vitamin D supplements for those who need them.
In June, the assertion of Grothman’s press release was rated “True” by Politifact.
Grothman has repeatedly called on the CDC, even from the House floor, to further investigate the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19, as well as other treatments, and explain the benefits of having a healthy immune system.
“It is imperative that we find treatment options for people suffering from COVID-19,” said Grothman. “Unfortunately, most media outlets have largely ignored possible treatments for COVID-19. The obfuscation of this research has been irresponsible and has no doubt cost lives.
“I am glad that Dr. Fauci has finally spoken up about the negative effects of having a vitamin D deficiency, something that I have been talking about since April, and the importance of keeping a healthy immune system to combat infections. As the country’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Fauci should use his platform to continue to promote the ways to obtain a healthy immune system and other things we can do every day to lessen the ill-effects of the novel coronavirus.
“I hope that I can count on my local media outlets to publicize this news that could save lives in Wisconsin and move us closer to a return to normalcy.”
Excerpt from the Insider article:
“If you’re deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection. I would not mind recommending, and I do it myself, taking vitamin D supplements,” [Dr. Fauci] said.
