The Relationship between Vitamin D and Covid-19
COVID-19 pandemic has surprised the entire world. It has entirely changed our lifestyle and has forced us to stay at home. The virus is extremely contagious and possesses very few notable symptoms. People across the globe are taking severe precautions and are strictly abiding by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to keep themselves and the people around them safe.
The worst thing about this fatal pandemic is that no treatment has yet been advised for it. There is no medication or vaccine that a person can get to get rid of this disease. All you can do is take necessary precautionary measures and make sure that you and the people around you are safe.
Scientists are recommending people to work on their immune system. The stronger the immune system of a person will be, the lesser are his chances of getting affected by this dangerous virus.
Various theories have been presented regarding the effectiveness of vitamin D in treating coronavirus. This article will help you explore how effective vitamin D can be in minimising the risk of getting affected from covid-19 and how this vitamin can act as a source of treatment for this contagious virus.
So, let's get started without any further delay and find out the connection between COVID-19 and vitamin D.
Studies Conducted to Find Connection between COVID-19 and Vitamin D
Studies conducted on COVID-19 suggest that there is a strong relationship between this pandemic and vitamin D.
A study conducted on 216 people showed that among all people suffering from COVID-19, 80% lacked levels of vitamin D in their blood. Hence, the scientists concluded that people lacking vitamin D levels are at a higher risk of getting affected by this harmful virus.
Furthermore, people with low vitamin D levels are at a higher risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. These patients also had a more extended stay at the hospital for COVID-19, indicating that patients with lower vitamin D levels had more severe COVID-19.
Another study found that COVID-19 patients who had a subsequent quantity of vitamin D in their blood had a much lesser risk of dying from the diseases and a much-reduced chance of complications.
Several publications suggest that vitamin D deficiency is linked with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections, including influenza and the coronavirus.
The Endocrine Society recommends for children and adults to have adequate amounts of vitamin D to reduce the risk of getting affected by the virus and reduce morbidity and mortality if a kid develops COVID-19.
How can Vitamin D Help in Recovering from COVID-19?
Apart from the correlation between low levels of vitamin D and COVID-19, people are curious to know how vitamin D can help recover from this disease.
The best approach to treat COVID-19 patients who lack vitamin D is by recommending them to increase their vitamin D intake. This approach can be beneficial, especially in high-risk individuals and elderly people who are the main target population for COVID-19.
Recommending vitamin D to older adults and people suffering from underlying conditions can be treated with vitamin D. This vitamin D can positively affect both the musculoskeletal and the immune system.
Researchers and generalise that maintaining adequate amounts of vitamin D helps lower the risk of getting affected from COVID-19, or at least it aids in recovery if the condition gets severe. However, more testing is needed to enhance the accuracy of the results.
How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19?
Here are a few tips that you can adopt to keep yourself safe from COVID-19:
1. Follow the SOPs Recommended by WHO
Everyone wishes to live a long-lasting life. The best way to protect yourself from this dangerous pandemic is by taking preventive measures and abiding by WHO's SOPs. Make sure to wear a face mask whenever you leave your house. Maintain 6 feet distance from other individuals and avoid shaking hands with anyone.
2. Improve Your Immune System
Apart from these precautionary measures, you have to put sincere efforts to improve your immune system. This can be done by making necessary lifestyle and dietary changes and adding immune-boosting foods to your daily routine.
3. Increase Your Vitamin D Intake
Also, you have to work on improving vitamin D levels in your body. As the studies suggest, lack of vitamin D is common in COVID-19 patients, so the best way to lessen the chances of getting affected by the virus is by improving your vitamin D levels.
4. Exposure Your Body to Sunlight
You can improve your vitamin D levels by sitting in the sunshine. Exposing your body to sunlight provides an adequate amount of vitamin D and comes up with many other health benefits. However, make sure not to expose your skin to sunlight for longer duration; otherwise, it may cause skin complications.
5. Add Foods Rich in Vitamin D in Your Diet
Another way of improving vitamin D levels is by adding foods rich in vitamin D to your daily diet. Some of the foods rich in vitamin D are:
- Oily fish
- Red meat
- Fortified meat
- Egg yolks
- Beef liver
- Cheese
6. Consume Vitamin D Supplements
Another way of adding vitamin D to meet the minimum requirements of vitamin D is by consuming vitamin D supplements. These supplements function to improve your vitamin D levels and are considered best for people with fat malabsorption syndrome, obesity, or people with other medical issues.
Final Thoughts
Several studies have shown a strong link between vitamin D and COVID-19; however, more research is needed to reach conclusive evidence. There is no doubt in the fact that vitamin D regulates the immune system for optimal health.
Low vitamin D status comes up with plenty of negative consequences, which may be the case for COVID-19; however, one can't say that vitamin D supplementation will prevent severe infection. So, if you want to stay protected from the virus, work on improving your vitamin D levels. You can follow the advice discussed in this article to enhance your vitamin D levels.
References:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2770157
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-to-know-about-vitamin-d-and-covid-19
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239799
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201027092216.htm
