Does vitamin D protect against COVID-19?

[admin]

In the absence of a COVID-19 cure or vaccine, scientists are investigating whether vitamin D can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Does vitamin D protect against COVID-19? : Read more

 

[Reeii Education]

Having enough vitamin D is important for your overall wellbeing, and looking after your health is crucial during this time. However, taking supplements (including vitamin D) to prevent COVID-19 infection is not supported by any clinical evidence.
The best ways to avoid infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus are to practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing, and to keep following restrictions and recommendations from the federal and state or territory departments of health.
Some international studies have reported that people who died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 tended to have low levels of vitamin D. Many of those people were older and had age-related health issues or other conditions before they contracted coronavirus. A review of available data by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK has concluded that age and health status – not vitamin D levels – made these people more vulnerable to poor health outcomes after being infected with COVID-19.
One group of research scientists from the UK said that it’s 'plausible' a person with low levels of vitamin D could be more susceptible to a COVID-19 infection, because of vitamin D’s role in our immune system, but a direct link has not been established.
There is currently no evidence to demonstrate that vitamin D supplements can protect people with COVID-19 from more serious health complications. Clinical trials are underway to examine the topic further.

 

[Chem721]

However, taking supplements (including vitamin D) to prevent COVID-19 infection is not supported by any clinical evidence.

While it is true that contracting COVID-19 cannot be prevented by Vitamin D, there is a growing body of evidence which indicates that Vitamin D, and/or its metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D may have a significant impact on minimizing the severity of the disease (1, 2) . This is why there is considerable interest in researching these related compounds for treating active infections. It is not unreasonable to suppose that maintaining optimum Vitamin D intake levels might also be used to minimize disease symptoms if one becomes infected. A considerable number of people are deficient in this essential vitamin.

Due to the variables involved in studies like this - trying to establish the value of a vitamin, mineral or metabolite - one must be very tuned in to all known variables and how they might lead one to a dead-end, or to make a valuable observation.

Another article posted by NIH (3) is rather extensive and does indicate a possible link for its use in minimizing disease symptoms. This is a rather involved treatment which covers a lot of variables as to why Vitamin D or its metabolites may help to reduce the symptoms of infection. And it should be clear that the results of these compounds on the disease may vary within a population. Such studies also cannot rule out that one or more metabolic deficiencies could be working to enhance disease severity. Hopefully the essential clinical trials mentioned by Reeii Education will provide some clues to this.

Another article provides additional information regarding the impact of Vitamin D in treating influenza, a very different viral disease (4). It appears that Vitamin D and/or its metabolites may offer a positive result in numerous respiratory infections. There are a number of studies being conducted to clarify the impact of Vitamin D deficiency on COVID-19 outcomes. Some authors even suggest sufficient evidence exists as to warrant taking supplements, particularly in older people who have a much higher tendency to be deficient in this vitamin.

NOTE: It should be understood that high doses of Vitamin D can have adverse results (5,6). Anyone planning on using it needs to understand that excess consumption can result in toxicity. Definitely avoid excessive dosing. Consult your physician about any doubts. And simply reading reference 5 below will help one determine the correct course of action.



1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7361912/

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are associated with greater disease severity


2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7285131/

25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Lower in Patients with Positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2


3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7543577/

The implications of vitamin D deficiency on COVID-19 for at-risk populations


4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121423/#

Vitamin D and Influenza—Prevention or Therapy?


5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-...xpert-answers/vitamin-d-toxicity/faq-20058108

What is vitamin D toxicity? Should I be worried about taking supplements?


6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3798924/

Vitamin D: Deficiency, Sufficiency and Toxicity