Vitamin D is commonly produced by exposing the skin to sunlight and is very important in one's body for a healthy immune system.
Studies show that taking vitamin D can decrease chest infection by 50%. Now, scientists are studying its potential link between the survival of COVID-19 patients and the presence of vitamin D in the body, or lack thereof.
The ten-week trial
According to the Daily Mail, researchers are now investigating how the levels of vitamin D could be positive in fighting COVID-19.
In a ten-week trial that involves 200 COVID-19 patients admitted at the University of Granada located in Spain, scientists seek to establish the link between 'sunshine vitamin' and the fight against COVID-19. The most commonly benefit from getting enough sunlight is Vitamin D that is why the researchers wanted to know it's effective on the patients and if it will help them recover and survive.
Recently, the Trinity College Dublin conducted a study on individuals taking Vitamin D supplements. They later found out that 50% of them have recovered from chest infections.
The results of their study could only mean that a person deficient in Vitamin D are three to four times more likely to catch a cold, said Dr. Jenna Macciochi of the University of Sussex. It, therefore, makes sense that the viral respiratory infection such as the COVID-19 would likely be worse if a person does not have enough Vitamin D in their body.
Effectiveness of Vitamin D
Professor Rose Anne Kenny, principal investigator of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) said that they have gathered evidence on the effectiveness of Vitamin D in treating respiratory illnesses particularly on older adults.
Though vitamin D's effectiveness against COVid-19 is not yet established, those cocooning and other people that are most likely to be infected by the virus should ensure that they have sufficient vitamin D.
People with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of developing acute respiratory tract infection and community-acquired pneumonia, according to some epidemiological studies. However, these data do not infer causality, multiple molecular mechanisms have been identified that deficiency in vitamin D will impair resistance to viral infections.
Useful higher doses of vitamin D
A US team has published a study in which they recommended that people most at risk should be taking at least 10,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to rapidly raise its concentration in the body, followed by 5,000 IU/d.
The team added that the goal should be to raise 25(OH)D concentrations above 40-60 ng/mL and it would be useful for the treatment of coronavirus infected people to get higher vitamin D3 doses.
Dr. Attila Garami, senior biomarker consultant discussed that most fatalities of COVID-19 are recorded in areas that have insufficient vitamin D. Moreover, he also said that people taking vitamin D have a weaker innate immune defense against SARS-CoV-2.
Inconsistent results
Although there have been numerous studies confirming the role of vitamin D in fighting respiratory infections, the British Nutrition foundation questions the evidence that it reduces the risk of contracting viral respiratory tract infection.
Systematic reviews on randomized control trials have shown multiple effects with others showing reduced risk and some show no changes at all. The Scientific Advisory Committee in Nutrition review in 2016 supported these results after insufficient support is found and therefore not recommending vitamin D supplementation to reduce risks of respiratory tract infection.
While deficiency in vitamin D may have an impact on immunity, but higher dosage might not be beneficial than was previously thought.
