Keeping your body’s immune system running at full strength is imperative amid the global coronavirus pandemic, and vitamin D is an essential piece of that, according to Boston University researchers.
Among 235 admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, patients older than 40 were 51.5% less likely to die if they had at least 30 ng/mL of vitamin D in their system, according to their study.
“This study provides direct evidence that vitamin D sufficiency can reduce the complications, including the cytokine storm (release of too many proteins into the blood too quickly) and ultimately death from COVID-19,” BU Dr. Michael F. Holick, the study’s lead author, said, Forbes reported.
Holick also noted in another study, vitamin D not only provides better outcomes for those hospitalized with COVID-19, he also reported it can help patients avoid COVID-19 infection altogether – as the risk of catching the virus is reduced by 54% for those with adequate vitamin D levels – per the report.
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1) The study is a retrospective observational study. It also identified several other factors that were as or more important, in particular hypoxia. (Full disclosure: I am working on a retrospective observational hypoxia study myself.)
2) The study does not give any information regarding what kind of intervention would help increase Vitamin D levels to an optimal level. More sun exposure, eating Vitamin D rich foods, and supplements might help, but a randomized clinical trial is needed. I only found one that is relevant, but it was a small Spanish study that looked not at Vitamin D itself but a metabolite. The results were promising but not conclusive.
3) The author has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Vitamin D industry. He has been pushing Vitamin D supplements and extra sun exposure for years.
That said, a little sun, foods containing Vitamin D, and even supplements in small quantities are inexpensive and safe. (Fatty fish such as salmon and trout are great sources.) But do not listen to people who push doses of Vitamin D far beyond the recommended level without consulting a physician who isn’t into quackery. My wife is a family physician who recommends Vitamin D supplements often. It can be particularly helpful for diabetes, and for osteoporosis — especially in the elderly. And it MIGHT help against COVID-19.
Thank you for being a very informative source and for taking the time to post. Many of us appreciate.