Research reported on September 25, 2020 in PLoS One uncovered a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients whose vitamin D levels were sufficient.
The study analyzed data from 235 men and women hospitalized with COVID-19. Blood samples collected upon admission were analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other factors.
Among those whose vitamin D levels were sufficient at 30 nanograms per milliliter or more, risks of illness complications, including loss of consciousness, low oxygen levels or death were significantly lower than the risks experienced by those whose levels were insufficient. Patients over 40 years of age who had sufficient blood levels of vitamin D had less than half the risk of death from COVID-19 compared to those who had insufficient or deficient levels. White blood cells known as lymphocytes were higher and CRP levels were lower in the vitamin D sufficient group.
“This study provides direct evidence that vitamin D sufficiency can reduce the complications, including the cytokine storm (release of too many proteins into the blood too quickly) and ultimately death from COVID-19,” remarked corresponding author Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, who is a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics and molecular medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
“Because vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is so widespread in children and adults in the United States and worldwide, especially in the winter months, it is prudent for everyone to take a vitamin D supplement to reduce risk of being infected and having complications from COVID-19.”
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