A study reveals the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of corona infection
Another evidence that vitamin "D" could protect people from the "Corona" virus emerged after a study found that deficiency of this vitamin was 4 times more common among hospital patients, according to the British newspaper, "Daily Mail".
Much research from around the world painted a clear picture.
Affected patients who do not have enough vitamin D are likely to end up in the hospital.
But scientists have not yet been able to determine whether a lack of nutrients makes people more susceptible to disease, or whether the disease causes low levels of vitamin D in the body.
Spanish experts have now discovered more evidence indicating that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial.
Experts at the University of Cantabria in Santander examined 216 patients with the "Covid 19" epidemic in Valdesela Hospital in the northern Spanish city.
82 percent were deficient in vitamin D, while only 18 percent had adequate levels.
That is, the difference is 4 times.
This was compared to 47 percent of people deficient in a control group who did not become infected.
44 Corona patients suffering from vitamin deficiency were transferred to the intensive care unit;
Because their illness got worse, and 37 of them needed ventilation.
Other patients recovered without requiring additional care.
Spanish researchers are now calling for treating Corona virus patients with vitamin D supplementation “because this approach may have beneficial effects,” and there are few negative side effects to it.
Others suggested that treating Corona patients in hospitals with cheap vitamin D supplements would boost their chances of survival and speed up recovery.
But the lack of clinical trials, the gold standard of scientific research, made it impossible for scientists to confirm these findings.
The overwhelming evidence pointing to the benefit of vitamin D prompted British researchers to take a step to confirm it earlier this month.
Queen Mary University of London has launched an experiment, in which 5,000 volunteers will take the vitamin for 6 months to see if it can protect people from getting sick.
Dr Jose Hernandez, from the University of Santander, said: “One approach is to identify and treat vitamin D deficiency, especially in high-risk individuals such as the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and nursing home residents, who are the main targets of (Covid 19). ) ».
It should be recommended to use vitamin D treatment in patients with "Covid 19" who suffer from vitamin deficiency.
Because this approach may have beneficial effects on both the musculoskeletal system and the immune system.
His retrospective study looked at 216 hospitalized patients with Coronavirus last March, when Spain was the epicenter of the virus in Europe.
Scientists searched hospital records to analyze patients' vitamin D levels, and compared them to a control group chosen randomly from the population.
Of the 216 hospitalized patients, vitamin D deficiency was found in 82.2 per cent of cases;
Compared to 47.2 percent of healthy people.
Experts consider a level of 25 ng-milliliter of vitamin D or higher to be healthy.
Less than 25 ng-milliliter is a low percentage, but if vitamin levels are less than 20 ng-milliliter, that is a severe deficiency.
The researchers found that those with the lowest amounts of the "sunshine vitamin" were more likely to have high blood pressure and heart disease.
The study indicates an occasional link between vitamin D deficiency, which the body produces when exposed to sunlight, and moderate to severe disease from the Corona virus.