Low Vitamin D Linked to Covid-19 Deaths

High Covid-19 deaths are associated with vitamin D deficiency.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Low levels of nutrition are related to the high mortality rate of Covid-19 found in 20 countries. A large number of Covid-19 cases and a high death rate can be attributed to a vitamin D deficiency, according to a study.

Previous studies have shown that low vitamin D status increases the likelihood of respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D is essential for an immediate immune response by adjusting the reaction of white blood cells and reducing the production of cytokines.

Inflammatory cytokines are signaling molecules secreted from immune cells to trigger inflammation. Excess cytokines will worsen the disease, because it is pro-inflammatory. The Covid-19 virus triggers the body’s defense system, resulting in the extreme production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

“Researchers examined data in 20 European countries and found that vitamin D can help prevent illness and death from the coronavirus,” the report said. Spring.org, Monday (24/1/2022).

Older people are most at risk of infection. Research shows that older groups in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, are severely deficient in vitamin D.

Low levels of vitamin D in southern Europe appear to be related to factors such as avoiding hot sun and preferring shade. In addition, skin pigmentation, which reduces the natural synthesis of vitamin D.

In contrast, vitamin D levels were higher in Northern Europe as a result of vitamin D supplementation, intake of cod liver oil, vitamin D fortification of milk and dairy products. It is found in countries such as Sweden and Finland, and avoids sunlight less.

This may be a factor in Scandinavia being one of the countries with the fewest coronavirus cases and the lowest per capita death rate.

Dr Lee Smith, lead author of the study, said he had found a significant crude relationship between average vitamin D levels and the number of Covid-19 cases. This is particularly the case with the Covid-19 death rate, per head of population in 20 European countries.

Vitamin D has been shown to protect against acute respiratory infections, and older adults, the group most vitamin D deficient in, are also the hardest hit by Covid-19.

An earlier study found that 75 percent of people in institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are severely vitamin D deficient. Now it is also recommended to conduct a special study that looks at vitamin D levels in Covid-19 patients with different disease severity.

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