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In times of pandemic, scientific studies and research are multiplying to combat Covid-19. Many of these, still largely underestimated, concern the use of vitamin D that would provide a more than invaluable aid against the disease by reducing mortality and limiting the life-threatening effects of the virus.
The Turin Academy of Medicine has created a working group coordinated by Prof. Giancarlo Isaia, Specialist in Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Nuclear Medicine of the Department of Medical Sciences of the University of Turin and by Antonio D’Avolio, Professor of Pharmacology at ‘University of Turin which has prepared a document, sent to the national and regional health authorities, reporting the “Most recent and convincing scientific evidence on the positive effects of vitamin D, both in the prevention and in the complications of coronavirus.“The document has already received the signatures of 65 doctors from all over Italy.
What the studies say
To date, more than 340 works have been developed around the world during 2020 and published in PubMed, which have confirmed the presence of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D deficiency) in most patients affected by Covid-19, especially if seriously. and a higher mortality associated with it. In a 6-week observational study of 154 patients, the prevalence of D hypovitaminotic subjects was 31.86% in asymptomatic patients and 96.82% in those subsequently admitted to intensive care, an incredible figure. In practice, almost all of the “deficient” had serious complications from the disease. Another retrospective American study conducted in 190,000 patients showed the presence of a significant correlation between the low percentage of subjects positive for the disease and the higher circulating levels of ’25OHD’ (which is the vitamin). “Studies suggest an association between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of upper respiratory tract viral infections and mortality from coronavirus in 2019. This relationship is anticipated, as vitamin D has numerous actions that affect the innate and adaptive immune system .“write the authors of this research. To also cite a third study, in a clinical trial in 40 asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic patients, negativization of the disease was observed in 62.5% (10/16) of patients treated with doses high of cholecalciferol (60,000 IU / day for 7 days), compared to 20.8% (5/24) of the patients in the control group, cholecalciferol is one of the vitamins of group D.
Vitamin D and sun rays
If three clues provide proof, we have enough here. While the more than 300 studies on this topic cannot be cited, the conclusion is virtually unanimous: vitamin D can ‘to block’ the virus is good for the body and has no contraindications. “These data provide, in our opinion, interesting elements for reflection and rethinking about a potentially useful intervention for the entire elderly population, which in Italy is largely deficient in vitamin D”, says Professor Isaia interviewed exclusively for ilgiornale.it. Although more controlled studies are necessary, vitamin D seems effective against Covid-19 both for the rate of negativization and for the benign evolution of the disease in case of infection if it is administered for prevention purposes, especially in the elderly, frail and institutionalized. “Vitamin D has an active effect on immunity getting better our defenses: if we give it, we reduce the unfavorable clinical course. If you have to become infected with the virus, you will continue to infect it, but we reasonably believe that vitamin D is a weapon to stop the unfavorable course of the Covid and reduce its mortality, ”the specialist underlines.
The Italian study. “We did a job in which the intensity of the rays was evaluated ultraviolet in Italy in the period June-December 2019. In collaboration with Arpa and Enea, using satellite systems we have seen a surprising (to some extent) correlation between these two values: type B ultraviolet rays, which provide vitamin D, clearly improve the situation, “Isaia told us. The striking example is between the cities of Lampedusa and Bolzano, compared both individually (in the respective numbers of infected and dead) and nationally, and the result was incontrovertible: as We move from south to north, the number of infected people and deaths increases exponentially.
Determination of ultraviolet rays. “There is no doubt that the correlation between UV rays and the clinical manifestation of the disease is very significant and is due to two factors: vitamin D built the skin of Sicilians in the previous period and the lower deaths in other regions were the direct effect of UV rays on the virus “, affirmed Isaías. In practice, the skin acts as a screen, a barrier against the virus and the ultraviolet rays make it dry in a much shorter time than many other climatic conditions more typical of northern Italy. Professor gives an amazing example which at the very least gives us ideas to think about. ”The death curve in May dropped suddenly during the summer and began to rise again in early October. The hypothesis is that UV rays also had effect direct about the virus in the summer. In summer, social gatherings were the order of the day but they did not cause mortality ”.
“Better the sun than the food”. But what is the difference between the vitamin D in food and the sun’s rays? “Very little is introduced with food: in fact, it is estimated that food intake does not exceed 20% of requirementWe take most of it when we are at the seashore in summer ”, Isaiah explained, saying that it is stored in the adipose tissue of the skin with a ‘powerbank’ type mechanism, and our orgasm consumes it during the winter. It is that they take little and, consequently, they synthesize little: “We have fiercely contested keeping the elderly closed during the second wave, it was a colossal mistake.”
Zero side effects. What is the way forward now? The Turin academy sent the document to 76 regional institutions with the idea of proposing a clinical study, also because vitamin D has no side effects. “To give an idea, the requirement the average of a healthy person is 1,000 units per day: Covid patients have been administered, both in prevention and therapy, up to 60,000 units a day of vitamin D for a week to ten days without side effects. “
The skepticism of the Ministry of Health
A circular from the Ministry of Health with the topic “Home management of patients with Sar-Cov-2 infection” that lists various indications also with respect to diagnosis, indications for the management of cases and outbreaks in schools and principles of management of the pharmacotherapy, the Ministry specifies that “they don’t exist, to date, strong and incontrovertible evidence (i.e. derived from controlled clinical studies) of the efficacy of vitamin supplements and food supplements (e.g. vitamins, including vitamin D, lactoferrin, quercetin), so no recommends its use for this indication “, signed by Giovanni Rezza, current CEO.
“Also licensed in the UK.” “Despite all the scientific data, the Ministry of Health issued a circular on November 30 saying that in home care for Covid-19, vitamin D is not indicated because there is not ‘sufficient scientific evidence’. disputed because it is not true: there is no evidence for other vitamins but there is for D “, explains Professor Isaia, and refers to the case of Great Britain where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already authorized the use of vitamin D for 2.7 million British In the same vein also the Royal Society, which declared that “there is nothing to lose and much to gain.” We made the appeal, signed by 65 doctors, and an American site is collecting Business of doctors around the world (including me) and it is already 200. I do not understand why the Ministry insists on not authorizing vitamin D “.
