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Why is it important?
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, vitamin D captured the attention of researchers more than any other micronutrient. Vitamin D is a lipid-soluble vitamin that is essential for maintaining good health, growth, and strong bones. It can be produced in the skin with the help of exposure to sunlight. Most foods naturally contain little vitamin D, but some are fortified with vitamin D. Studies have reported that higher prevalence of mortality and critical cases of COVID-19 are more common among vitamin D–deficient patients Our recent study was the first to look into the association between the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and infections and mortalities in two major continents, Asia and Europe, where the infection first spread prior to the other parts of the world.
Perspectives
This study which included 47 Asian and European countries reported that vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with COVID-19 infections and mortalities in Asian and European regions. Therefore we suggest that the infected should be screened for vitamin D status and be provided with adequate vitamin D supplements. Also, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels in the bloodstream by supplementation or sunlight exposure is recommended for the general populace to cope with the pandemic.
Piumika Sooriyaarachchi
Queensland University of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Impact of vitamin D deficiency on COVID-19, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, May 2021, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.05.011.
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