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Based on data from 20 European countries, a new study found low average vitamin D levels and a high number of COVID-19 cases and death rates.
Vitamin D regulates the response of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing such a large amount of inflammatory cytokines. The COVID-19 virus is known to cause excess proinflammatory cytokines.
Italy and Spain both countries have reported higher cases of Coronavirus. A study reported that patients in both countries had lower levels of vitamin D than northern European countries.
The highest average levels of vitamin D are found in northern Europe, due to consumption of cod liver oil and vitamin D supplements, and possibly less avoidance of the sun. The Scandinavian nations are among the countries with the lowest number of COVID-19 cases and death rates per head of population in Europe.
Dr. Lee Smith, a reader of physical activity and public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “We found a significant crude relationship between average vitamin D levels and the number of COVID-19 cases, and particularly COVID-19 mortality rates, per head of population in the 20 European countries.”
“Vitamin D has been shown to protect against acute respiratory infections, and older adults, the group most deficient in vitamin D, are also the most severely affected by COVID-19.”
“An earlier study found that 75% of people in institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, were severely deficient in vitamin D. We suggest that dedicated studies would be advisable to look at vitamin D levels in patients with COVID-19 with different degrees of disease severity. “
Mr. Petre Cristian Ilie, lead urologist for the Lynn NHS Foundation Trust at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King, said: “However, our study has limitations, especially since the number of cases in each country is affected by the number of tests carried out, as well as the different measures each country takes to prevent the spread of the infection. Finally, and most importantly, one must remember that correlation does not necessarily mean causation. ”
Magazine reference:
- Petre Cristian Ilie, The role of vitamin D in the prevention of infection and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019. DOI: 10.1007 / s40520-020-01570-8
