A new study has found that COVID-19 had low levels of vitamin D in more than 80 percent of 200 patients in Spain.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism on Tuesday, found that most patients treated with COVID-19 at a hospital in the northern city of Santander suffered from vitamin D deficiency.
Researchers at the University of Cantibria have determined that only 82 percent of the 216 patients in the control group have insufficient levels – compared to about 47 percent – who do not have the virus.
Vitamins, which promote healthy bones and support the function of the immune system, are produced naturally by the body when exposed to sunlight, although they can also be obtained by eating fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms and cheese. .
The study also found that patients with a vitamin deficiency in sunlight were more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease, as well as longer hospital stays.
The researchers, however, found no link between vitamin D iency and severity of illness, with no significant increase in ICU access, ventilator use, or mortality in people with insufficient levels of the sunshine vitamin.
The study marks recent research in an attempt to determine whether vitamin D deficiency contributes to worse cases of COVID-19 – or if the correlation could be explained by patients at risk for the virus, such as the elderly population and immunosuppression. Have low levels of vitamins.
In the study, 19 patients were also given vitamin D supplements from the point of admission, which was evaluated separately from the rest of the group.
However, the group that took the supplements, which were not receiving them, was “slightly mildly adverse” compared to those who were experiencing poor oxygen levels, needed more medications to help with inflammation, and were more likely to gain intensive admission. Was. Care unit.
But the researchers said the findings could be explained by six out of 19 people taking the supplement who were on corticosteroids or immunosuppressants in the previous three months, which could affect the severity of their illness.
The co-author of the study, Dr. Jose L. Hernandez said he still recommends supplements for patients with deficiencies.
“Vitamin D treatment should be recommended in Covid-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D in the blood, as this approach may have a beneficial effect on both the musculoskeletal and immune systems,” he said in a statement.
But other experts have previously warned that more research is needed before prescribing vitamins to eliminate serious cases.
“Although there is some evidence that low vitamin D is associated with acute respiratory tract infections, there is currently insufficient evidence of vitamin D as a treatment for covid-19 and over-supplementation should be avoided as it can be harmful,” said a Birmingham professor. University professor Caroline Gregg previously told the Times of India.
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