Coronavirus Update: Scientists Link Vitamin D Deficiencies To Higher Risk Of Dying From SARS-CoV-2

While there are a lot of controversies surrounding the effect of sunlight in preventing COVID-19, a new study pointed out that vitamin D might help one’s immune system in preventing death due to the coronavirus infection.

It is already well established that vitamin D has numerous health benefits including boosting one’s immune system. Also, the sunshine vitamin has been reported to influence one’s susceptibility to autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis as well as the seasonal flu.

Vitamin-D is a fat-soluble compound that does not have a dietary source but can be absorbed via supplements. The only natural source of vitamin D is from ultraviolet rays from the sunlight that triggers vitamin D in human skin. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to COVID-19-related deaths, according to Science Alert.

The results from a study carried out by scientists from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia have associated low levels of the sunshine vitamin with COVID-19 mortality rates across Europe. Although it would be premature to make any recommendations, this is a very important finding since it can help solve the coronavirus puzzle.

The researchers analyzed existing health literature to figure out the association between vitamin D status and COVID-19 deaths in different countries. They found a pretty convincing correlation between deaths from SARS-CoV-2 deaths and lower vitamin D concentration. They found that vitamin D levels were extremely low in aging populations, particularly in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, and pointed out that these nations were also the ones to suffer the highest COVID-19 associated mortality rates.

“Vitamin D levels are severely low in the aging population, especially in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. This is also the most vulnerable group of the population for COVID-19. We believe, that we can advise Vitamin D supplementation to protect against SARS-CoV2 infection,” concluded the researchers in their report published in Research Square.

A 2017 study had reported that vitamin D supplementation was safe and it helped protect people against acute respiratory tract infections and pointed out that those who were extremely deficient of vitamin D experience the most benefits from supplementations. Another study has pointed out that the sunshine vitamin reduced the risk of chest infections in those who took supplements, mentioned the Blaze.