09.05.2020 16:17
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Coronavirus: what role does vitamin D play?
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Illinois – What are the consequences of a vitamin D deficiency when infected with the Corona virus? Researchers from Northwestern University found an amazing connection in a study.
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So far there is no vaccine for the coronavirus. © Kateryna Kon / 123 RF
The research team performed statistical analysis of data from hospitals and clinics in China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
They found that patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, had lower vitamin D levels compared to patients in countries that were not as badly affected.
Nevertheless, the research team gives the all-clear:
“While I think it’s important that people know that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in mortality, we don’t have to force vitamin D on everyone,” said Vadim Backman, one of the scientists on the Website the University.
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Vitamin D could be the reason for country-related differences in the COVID-19 mortality rate
Vitamin D is primarily formed on the skin by sun exposure. © ratmaner / 123RF
“This needs further investigation, and I hope that our work will spark interest in this area. The data could also shed light on the mechanism of mortality, which, if proven, could lead to new therapeutic goals,” said the researcher.
Backman and his team came up with the idea of examining a relationship between corona and vitamin D levels after finding unexplained differences in COVID-19 mortality rates from country to country.
Some people hypothesized that differences in the quality of healthcare, age distribution in the population, test rates, or different strains of Corona virus could be responsible.
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Coronavirus: mortality rate does not necessarily depend on age
Vitamin D supplementation may prove useful for some corona patients. © Valerii Honcharuk / 123RF
Backman was not convinced by these theories:
“None of these factors seem to play a significant role. The health system in northern Italy is one of the best in the world. Mortality differences exist even when you look at the same age group. And although the test restrictions do vary, there are differences in mortality even if we look at countries or population groups for which similar test rates apply. “
In analyzing publicly available patient data from around the world, Backman and his team discovered a strong link between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm – an inflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system.
The researchers also found a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality.
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Corona infection: Sufficient vitamin D can protect against serious complications
The cytokine storm can severely damage the lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients, “said Backman.” This appears to kill the majority of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus itself. “
This is exactly where vitamin D plays an important role. It not only strengthens our innate immune system, but also prevents it from becoming dangerously overactive.
A healthy vitamin D level can therefore protect patients with a corona infection from serious or even fatal complications.
“Children rely mostly on their innate immune system. This could explain why their mortality rate is lower,” said the scientist.
The results of the study were here released.
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Cover photo: Kateryna Kon / 123 RF
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