[ad_1]
A new study has found the link between low levels of vitamin D in the body and a higher death rate from coronavirus infection.
The study was conducted by Ruskin University of England in the United Kingdom and is based on analyzed data from patients in 20 European countries.
The study, conducted by Dr. Lee Smith of Ruskin University of England (ARU) in collaboration with Dr. Petre Cristian Ilie, urologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, was published in the journal Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.
Several previous studies have revealed an association between low vitamin D levels and a predisposition to acute respiratory tract infections.
Italy and Spain have a high mortality rate among people infected with coronavirus. Both countries also have a low average vitamin D among citizens compared to most northern European countries.
This is largely due to the fact that in southern European countries, people, especially the elderly, avoid strong sun and the skin pigment reduces the natural synthesis of vitamin D.
The highest levels of vitamin D have been identified among citizens of the Nordic countries, due to their diet, the vitamin D supplements they take and the fact that they do not avoid the sun.
The study associates this information with the fact that the Nordic countries have few cases of coronavirus, and the death rate in these countries is among the lowest in Europe.
“We found a significant link between the average level of vitamin D and the number of coronavirus cases, especially the death rate in 20 European countries.” Dr. Lee Smith said.
“Vitamin D appears to protect against acute respiratory infections, and the elderly, the age group with the most vitamin D deficiencies, are most affected by covid-19.”said the British doctor.
“An earlier study showed that 75% of people in institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, had severe vitamin D deficiencies.” Smith added.
“However, our study has limitations, because the number of cases in each country is affected by the number of tests performed, as well as due to the different measures taken by each country to prevent infections.”, urologist Petre Cristian Ilie said, mentioning that a correlation made in one study does not necessarily represent a causal relationship.
