A new study that looked at 216 people with COVID-19 found that 80 percent didn’t have adequate levels of vitamin D in their blood.
The study also found that people who had both COVID-19 and lower vitamin D levels also had a higher number of inflammatory markers such as ferritin and D-dimer, which have been linked to poor COVID-19 outcomes.
A different study found that COVID-19 patients who had adequate vitamin D levels had a 51.5 percent lower risk of dying from the disease and a significant reduced risk for complications.
Medical experts theorize that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may help lower risk or aid recovery from severe COVID-19 for some people, though more testing is needed.
A Little Information about Vitamin D.
The major natural source of the vitamin D is synthesis of cholecalciferol (precursor to Vitamin D) in the lower layers of skin epidermis through a chemical reaction that is dependent on the SUN. Cholecalciferol is then convert to the active form of Vitamin D.
Did you know that Vitamin D is a hormone and not a vitamin. Hormones are chemicals that the body produces to control how the body is functioning. Hormone are signaling molecules that can turn on and off cells and organs .
Vitamin D is a hormone that controls blood calcium concentration and impacts the immune system. Many studies point to the beneficial effect of vitamin D on the immune system, especially regarding protection against infections.
Robust evidence suggests that vitamin D is protective against respiratory tract infections. Data from 25 randomized controlled trials from around the world demonstrate that daily or weekly supplementation of vitamin D reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection by more than 50 percent in people with low baseline vitamin D levels.
Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increase in inflammation and can increased risk of pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increase in thrombotic episodes, which are frequently observed in COVID-19.
Having your Vitamin D levels tested is not a bad Idea. This way you wont be guessing on your levels. Once you know your levels it will give you a better understanding if you need to supplement with Vitamin D.