Those with a vitamin D deficiency have been found to have a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19, now a randomized and controlled clinical trial has found supplementation of vitamin D to be effective in lowering the rate of COVID-19 intensive care unit admissions.
The report published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology describes the study involving 76 COVID-19 patients with pneumonia in Spain who were split into 2 groups with both receiving the same medical treatment based on hospital protocol but one group received a daily Calcifediol supplement that they stopped taking after being discharged from the hospital.
According to recent research from the European Society of Endocrinology, Calcifediol is also known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D and is a metabolite of vitamin D that appears in the blood which may help to determine the future health risks.
50 patients were in the vitamin D supplement group, of which only one was admitted to the ICU, and all were discharged without complication or death from the disease. 26 patients were in the control group, of which 13 were admitted to the ICU, two died, and the remaining 11 were eventually discharged, according to the researchers.
While there still is no approved or confirmed treatment for coronavirus, this study does show promise and strong potential of the correlation between vitamin D supplementation and a decrease in the severity of the effects of COVID-19.
“Our pilot study demonstrated that administration of a high dose of Calcifediol or 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a main metabolite of vitamin D endocrine system, significantly reduced the need for ICU treatment of patients requiring hospitalization due to proven COVID-19,” the study authors write.
In addition to being at a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19, those who are deficient in vitamin D are also at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and age-related brain diseases as vitamin D is crucial to overall health regardless of its impact on this virus.
To ensure that you are getting enough vitamin D go outside and enjoy some time in the sun for around 10-30 minutes (depending on skin pigmentation and sensitivity) a few times a week, and when you can’t try to eat vitamin D rich foods like mushrooms, egg yolk, tofu, and salmon. You can also obtain it through supplements and cod liver oil, but it is advised to consult with your doctor or certified medical professional before taking any supplement to avoid any possible complications, such as interfering with certain medications.
