Recent research results.
Vitamin D's benefit against COVID-19 is an ongoing debate. Scientists from Israel presented clear data on how people with low and optimal levels of vitamin D get sick mortality. For the first time, scientists included an assessment of vitamin D levels before infection.
Severity Factor
The presence of an infection in the body can reduce the level of vitamin D. Therefore, scientists decided to analyze its indicators, which they received from 2 weeks to 2 years to COVID-19, and compared them with the course of the disease.
Their work in proves once again that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for severe COVID-19.
Experimental details
In addition to its important role in bone health, vitamin D is associated with benefits in autoimmune, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors have begun to prescribe it more often to prevent infection, as it plays an important role in stimulating the immune response.
Israeli scientists have demonstrated how specific indicators affect the course of infection. 1,176 people took part in their experiment.
Unexpected results
It turned out that deficient conditions (less than 20 nanograms per milliliter) 14 times increased the severity of COVID-19 compared to 40 nanograms per milliliter.
The mortality rate was 25.6% when deficient and 2.3% when optimal.
This means that low vitamin D significantly contributes to the severity and mortality of COVID-19,
the authors summarized.
Help. All data adjusted for sex, age, chronic disease, and other factors that potentially affect outcome.
Other studies have shown that an optimal level of vitamin D reduces the risk of bowel cancer by 50%, and a deficiency doubles the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.< /p>Who should get their vitamin D tested
At risk are:
- obese people with a body mass index greater than 35;
- people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- the elderly.
< li>vegetarians and vegans;
We emphasize! You should not take any vitamins on your own, in particular vitamin D in its pure form: a large dosage can, on the contrary, do harm. First, consult with your doctor, who will prescribe the appropriate tests. Based on them, he will prescribe treatment, if necessary.