COVID-19 And Vitamin D: Can The Vitamin Protect You Against Coronavirus?

COVID-19 And Vitamin D: Is There Any Link?

Vitamin D is essential for one's immunity and help boosts immune function against viral diseases. In addition to that, the vitamin also has an immune-modulating effect and can lower inflammation, which researchers point out as being the linking point to COVID-19 infection [2].

Vitamin D-rich Foods For Improved Immunity

The coronavirus attacks your respiratory system and people with low immunity levels are increasingly prone to contracting the disease [3]. After examining several studies that have explored the role of vitamin D in preventing or managing the coronavirus infection, the following are the crucial points:

• Patients with severe coronavirus infection and symptoms had a higher level of a vitamin D deficiency than the ones who had mild symptoms [4].
• Individuals with a vitamin deficiency had a higher risk of developing severe illness among those who had sufficient vitamin D levels [5].
• Use of vitamin D supplements showed a significant reduction in respiratory tract infections caused by the coronavirus [6].
• Vitamin D has been shown to protect against acute respiratory infections, and older adults are the group who are most deficient in vitamin D and hence the ones most seriously affected by COVID-19 [7].
• A correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm (a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system) was reported, which further links vitamin D deficiency and mortality [8].
• A statistical analysis of data from hospitals across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US showed that patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and the UK, had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients in other countries [9].

Strong Correlation Between Vitamin D Levels And Cytokine Storm

Apart from the points discussed in the previous section of the article, one that has more data support is the link between cytokine storm and vitamin D deficiency. Cytokines are small proteins released by many different cells in the body, where they coordinate the body's response against infection and trigger inflammation [10].

The link between cytokine storm and coronavirus infection is that a cytokine storm can occur when, for example, the coronavirus enters the lungs, triggering an immune response, attracting immune cells to the region to attack the virus. This results in localised inflammation and in some patients, hyper inflammation which can cause serious complications, and even death [11].

Cytokine storms are a common complication not only of covid-19 and flu but of other respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, and non-infectious diseases such as multiple sclerosis and pancreatitis, explaining why some people have a severe reaction to coronaviruses while others only experience mild symptoms [12].

In addition to that, it also explains why young people are less affected because their immune systems are less developed, thereby only produce lower levels of inflammation-driving cytokines [13]. So coming back to vitamin D and cytokine storm, the researcher says, "cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients. This is what seems to kill a majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself. It is the complications from the misdirected fire from the immune system" [14].

Not only does vitamin D enhance our innate immune systems, but also prevents our immune systems from becoming dangerously overactive, thereby pointing out that having healthy levels of vitamin D could protect patients against severe complications, including death, from COVID-19 [15].

Sunny Countries Show Low Mortality Rates From COVID-19

A study published by the Aging Clinical and Experimental Research points out that countries with higher average levels of vitamin D had fewer coronavirus cases and lower mortality rates [16].

The study pointed out that Northern European countries like Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden had higher average levels of vitamin D and lower rates of coronavirus cases and deaths [17]. And countries like Italy and Spain, where high mortality rates were reported, had lower average levels of vitamin D [18].

Also known by the name 'sunshine vitamin', vitamin D is produced by your body when exposed to sunlight - thereby supporting the claim that countries with less sun had high COVID-19 mortality rates.

Vitamin D Is Not Cure For COVID-19, Excess Of It Can Cause Complications

Researchers are keen on pointing out that while vitamin D may have a potential link to the coronavirus infection, it is not a cure-all, neither is any vitamin [19]. If an individual is already getting enough vitamin D from sunlight, food, or other sources, adding more will not help.

One of the researchers stated, "While I think it is important for people to know that vitamin D deficiency might play a role in mortality, we don't need to push vitamin D on everybody. It will not prevent a patient from contracting the virus, but it may reduce complications and prevent death in those who are infected" [20].

The researchers added that there is, of course, a need for more extensive studies, which will explore other environmental factors that could contribute towards the mortality rate, as well as the number of COVID-19 cases [21].

Complications Of Vitamin D Overdose

Anything and everything in unnecessary quantities can never do good for your health. Excessive intake of vitamin D can cause the following health problems [22]:

• Hypercalcemia resulting in loss of appetite, high blood pressure and confusion.
• Kidney damage
• Weak bones
• Irregular heartbeat
• Lung damage
• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Pancreatitis

On A Final Note…

While the researchers assert the important role vitamin D plays in the possible prevention against COVID infection, they are not encouraging individuals with the deficiency to hoard supplements. Nor that people should simply consume supplements with the hope of developing immunity against the coronavirus disease.

Researchers encourage individuals to be outdoors and physically active while maintaining social distancing.