Above 35th parallel, heavy COVID-19 speeds up, suspected solar connection



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Liverpool scientists have linked it to a natural vitamin D deficiency in winter

The paradox with the exception of the north is generated by the active search for natural rays and national cuisine.

Among scientists studying the relationship between human health and physical environmental factors, the 35th parallel is known as

limit

the line of

the complet

Sun

To the north of it are areas where people do not receive enough sunlight to retain adequate levels of vitamin D synthesized by the sun in winter. So far, nothing more than a reminder of physical geography.

But scientists from the University of Liverpool compared COVID-19 data across all regions and found that countries below 35 degrees north latitude had a population with good vitamin D saturation and relatively low mortality.

However, the same is true in some northern countries where, due to the perceived risks of less sunny days, health traditions have fueled the desire for exposure to natural rays and special attention to the provision of vitamin D with food: Traditional northern cuisine of blue fish and cod oil and recommendations from health authorities to compensate for the lack of supplements. This coincidence leads the team to deepen the hypothesis of a link between solar vitamin deficiency and the severity of epidemics in individual countries.

In the southern hemisphere, there is a relatively low mortality rate. “It could be argued that the virus later spread in the southern hemisphere and that countries just behind those in the northern hemisphere, but over time this argument seems less and less compelling,” the researchers said. – In Australia, 100 cases were registered before March 10, 1000 before March 21; In the UK, the first 100 were reported before March 5 and the first 1,000 were reported on March 14, just one week earlier. Comparing mortality, it’s dozens of times. “

The bottom line is that the vitamin cannot be shown to prevent infection at this time, but it can be safely assumed that

reduces risk

of the super sharp

inflammatory

reaction

against the virus

gaining popularity as a cytokine storm that very often ends in death.

Scientists are likely encouraged by data from the latest major study on average vitamin D levels in the population of different European countries since 2018. According to him, Italy, Spain and France, all severely affected by the pandemic, are Among the countries with low average levels of Vitamin D. From the study of vitamin D in Europe it can be summarized that the deficit is more common in southern than northern Europe. The highest risk group are the elderly. The main reason is that they spend less time in the sun and, in addition, in all other conditions, the natural synthesis process on their skin is less efficient than young people.

On average

every third of

the population

in the south of Europe

is scarce

At first glance, it makes no sense for these Mediterranean peoples to be deficient in the sun’s vitamin: the average annual warming is sufficient for the normal synthesis of a substance important to health. Scientists have long noted the paradox. They explain it with today’s increasingly urban way of life:

80-90% of

it’s time

We spend

inside

Diligent protection against ultraviolet rays (identified as a risk factor for wrinkles and skin cancer) and underestimating the importance of the vitamin for health. For 10 years, the known risks of bone density, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and osteomalacia have been evidence that the sun vitamin is involved in the work of the immune system. On this basis, it is believed that its deficiency may increase the risk of cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections. Recently, a role for hypertension has even been established.

We get a small portion of the vitamin with food, up to 25%. The main required dose must be produced by the body under the influence of UV rays. Previtamin D is synthesized in the skin after sun exposure, metabolized in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and converted to the active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the kidney. Nutritional deficiency of vitamin D generally occurs. Investigate by measuring vitamin reserves. D according to the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Surveys since 2000 show that people in the north are more actively seeking the sun. Along with the lighter skin factor that has been shown to synthesize the vitamin better than the more pigmented vitamin, the population is in a better position to maintain the vitamin D necessary for good immunity.

When monitoring mortality, it can be seen that there is a relatively low mortality rate in countries below 35 degrees north. This suggests a possible role for vitamin D in the COVID-19 course, especially since comparisons show more favorable data also for northern countries where vitamin D deficiency is relatively rare, probably due to widespread use of supplements, they note. investigators. They remind you that

Vitamin D deficiency

correlates with hypertension,

diabetes, obesity,

and all of these chronic diseases are associated with an increased risk of serious infection.

Scientists cite experimental data showing that vitamin D is important in regulating and suppressing the inflammatory response of cytokines in respiratory epithelial cells and macrophages to various pathogens, including respiratory viruses. The evidence that vitamin D can prevent infection remains modest. The hypothesis is not that vitamin D would protect against infection by SARS-CoV-2, the new virus, but that it may be very important for

prevention

cytokine

storm and likely

acute respiratory

panic syndrome

which is often the cause of a fatal outcome.

According to the team, studies should be started urgently to assess whether there may be a relationship between the level of vitamin D in the body and the severity of COVID-19 disease.

“There is indirect evidence to support the protective effect of vitamin D against severe infection in most people in the Northern Hemisphere who are not currently deficient,” the Liverpool team said.

In emergencies, people can use sunscreen on decks and on their patios, as a last resort, partially on the open window. It is sufficient to obtain the required dose for the synthesis without the risk of harmful radiation

sunbathe

legs and arms to

20-30 minutes 2-3 times

per week The sun is not yet strong and there is no risk of burning, but the brightest people should judge it according to their personal tolerance.

Vitamin D is present in large quantities in foods such as blue fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna, sardines), egg yolks, and beef liver.



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