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Fresh Perspective: Could Vitamin D Be the Key to Fighting COVID-19?
It looks like the "sunshine vitamin" might just be a powerful ally in our battle against COVID-19. According to studies, people with sufficient levels of vitamin D have a 52% lower risk of dying from the virus, as reported by Almaty.tv, citing mk.ru.
Vitamin D, known for its role in the immune system, can battle inflammation. Given its protective properties, it might serve as a crucial player in our bodies' defenses against the coronavirus.
Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency, a condition more prevalent in vulnerable groups like the elderly and people of color, has been associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. While this doesn't stand as a causal link, it raises the question of whether vitamin D could influence who contracts the virus, who develops severe symptoms, and who remains unscathed.
In a previous study led by Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University, it was found that people with sufficient vitamin D levels are 54% less likely to contract COVID-19. In a more recent study, Dr. Holick's team discovered that people with vitamin D deficiency are much more likely to develop severe symptoms, sepsis, or even succumb to the virus once infected.
Since vitamin D deficiency is common in individuals with other ailments that enhance their risk of COVID-19, it's impossible to pinpoint exactly how many lives could be saved if everyone received a daily dose of the sunshine vitamin. However, it's known that around 42% of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D.
As the pandemic keeps us indoors and hidden from sunlight, vitamin D deficiency rates have been on the rise. In a Boston University study, those with sufficient vitamin D levels were less likely to have critical low blood oxygen levels and more likely to be conscious upon arrival at the hospital.
Patients with low vitamin D levels were 46% more likely to require intubation or develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a dangerous condition that claims the lives of many COVID-19 patients.
These patients also exhibited higher levels of C-reactive protein, an early marker of severe COVID-19, and lower white blood cell counts, a sign of a compromised immune system.
Overall, 74% of patients aged 30 to 90 developed severe COVID-19. However, the rate was lower among those with sufficient vitamin D levels, at around 64%. All patients under 40 years old in the study survived COVID-19. Among the 40 and above, 16.3% ultimately succumbed to the virus, but only 9.7% of those with sufficient vitamin D levels did. Interestingly, patients with particularly high vitamin D levels (40 ng/mL) had the lowest risk of death, with only 6.3% passing away.
Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. When our skin is exposed to UV light in sunlight, it reacts with cholesterol, triggering vitamin D production. However, people with darker skin have more melanin, which hinders their skin's ability to absorb UV light and produce vitamin D. This might explain the increased vulnerability of people of color in the U.S.
To supplement vitamin D, we can also consume foods rich in the vitamin such as fish (salmon, trout, cod, mackerel, sturgeon, swordfish, and tuna, herring, sardines, and tilapia), mushrooms, milk (including low-fat milk, low-fat chocolate milk, soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk), yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, pork, and orange juice.
As we delve deeper into the role of vitamin D in COVID-19, it appears that this vital nutrient could hold the key to reducing the risk and complications associated with the virus. Though more research is needed to solidify these findings, it might be prudent for health care providers to consider assessing vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients, particularly in vulnerable populations with confirmed deficiencies.
In light of the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the role of vitamin D, a key nutrient for health-and-wellness and a vital part of the immune system, comes under scrutiny. Studies suggest that individuals with sufficient levels of vitamin D have a lower risk of severe medical-conditions related to COVID-19, raising questions about its potential influence on the progression of the disease.
