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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCOVID-19 Deaths Are Being Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency
This would explain why California isn't being hit as hard, you need to go out and enjoy the sunlight!
A vitamin commonly produced by sun-exposed skin cells might play a role in preventing death by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, according to new research.
Preliminary results from a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed study carried out by scientists from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia have linked low levels of the hormone vitamin D with COVID-19 mortality rates across Europe.
It's a study that certainly deserves some attention as a potential piece of the coronavirus puzzle, reminding us that health and disease can be a complex affair involving a variety of lifestyle factors.
But it's also important to interpret evidence like this as part of a bigger scientific conversation, meaning it would be premature to make any recommendations and certainly way too premature to hit the supplement aisle before further evidence arrives.
The researchers dug through existing health literature to catalogue the average levels of vitamin D among the citizens of 20 European countries, and then compared the figures with the relative numbers of COVID-19 deaths in each country.
A simple statistical test showed there was a pretty convincing correlation between the figures, where populations with lower than average concentrations of the vitamin also featured more deaths from SARS-CoV-2.
"The most vulnerable group of population for COVID-19 is also the one that has the most deficit in vitamin D," the researchers conclude in their preliminary report.
Cross-sectional reports like these aren't without their problems, doing little more than suggesting some kind of relationship might exist. People who tend to have higher vitamin D levels in their body might be doing something else that helps limit destruction caused by the virus, for example.
But the results aren't surprising either, falling in line with previous, more robust studies that also suggest healthy vitamin D levels can reduce the risk of respiratory infections such as influenza and tuberculosis, as well as childhood asthma.
https://www.sciencealert.com/covid-deaths-are-being-linked-with-vitamin-d-deficiency-here-s-what-that-means
pnwmom
(108,978 posts)My doctor is a strong proponent of Vitamin D, and kept increasing my dose till my blood level was in an optimal range. Everyone should ask their own doctors how much they should be taking under the present circumstances.
The answer will depend on various factors. People at more northern latitudes or in areas with lots of cloud cover, and people with browner skin get less from the sun even if they do go outside.
benld74
(9,904 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)All that study seems to report is a correlation. Which is not the same as causation. Plus, of course, as pointed out in the article, it's possible people with better vitamin D are doing other beneficial things. Like, say, not smoking.
Which reminds me, a week or so ago there was a brouhaha about nicotine somehow being protective from the Corona virus. Wonder if there's been any follow up, or if it really was nothing.
Wounded Bear
(58,656 posts)since it can be isolated, it isn't necessary for folks to start smoking if it works.
DrToast
(6,414 posts)But theres no harm in making sure your Vitamin D levels are at optimal ranges.
Wounded Bear
(58,656 posts)so this makes sense. I take a daily multi pill, and generally eat a bowl of cereal with milk most mornings.
Can't say for sure my Vit D levels are at recommended levels, but I to work on it.
greenjar_01
(6,477 posts)Pffffft.
CountAllVotes
(20,870 posts)Vitamin D and immunity
Dr. John Campbell
Lots of very good info. here:
& recommend.
napi21
(45,806 posts)outdoor workers history with contracting the virus would prove or disprove this theory.
csziggy
(34,136 posts)I began an addition to my house in early February and there have been lots of workers on the property since then. I don't know of a single one of them that has been sick - other than a crew leader who had to take a couple of days off after visiting the ER for a severe asthma attack during pollen season.
That is a small number, 20-30 people, over the height of the outbreak. But considering that they pretty much could not keep a social distance while working together, their continued health seems to be a good omen for those in the construction business.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)indicates vitamin D deficiency is pervasive there too according to this 2018 meta-analysis.
The meta-analysis of 48 studies identified 18531 individuals with vitamin D deficiency. According to the random-effect model, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among male, female, and pregnant women was estimated to be 45.64% (95% CI: 29.63 to 61.65), 61.90% (95% CI: 48.85 to 74.96), and 60.45% (95% CI: 23.73 to 97.16), respectively. The results of the meta-regression analysis indicated that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly different in various geographical regions (β=4.4; P=0.023).
Conclusion
The results obtained showed a significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the Iranian population, a condition to be addressed by appropriate planning.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5936844/
JCMach1
(27,558 posts)Botany
(70,504 posts)n/t
TheBlackAdder
(28,199 posts).
Canning was also becoming a big trend to store food and that process destroys almost all nutrients.
There are suspicions that it also helped with the Black Death, because there were volcanic eruptions that led to hazing in the skies, lower sunlight, and crop yield failures for the couple of years before the outbreak occurred.
People have weakened immune systems from low nutrition.
.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)to make us a bit better informed than reading none at all. They do not in any way make us experts, and we all need to resist becoming more stupid by completely failing to understand the enormous gap between the notions we pick up and genuine, deep knowledge.
Science and expertise denial are being pushed hard by RW manipulators fighting truth, and don't for a minute think the effects aren't seen here also.
Btw, this doesn't say vit D is the only or a required factor. "COVID cure: Vitamin D, 1 pill every day." Not exactly.
This like almost everything related to COVID needs further study, of course, but I'm taking note because, due to autoimmune oversensitivity to UV and heat, I tend to be chronically low in vitamin D. I take a daily supplement, but that doesn't make my levels dependably normal.
Out to do one of the little strolls in the sun my doctor recommends but I scamp when it's hot. This IS Florida, and it's hot out there.
captain queeg
(10,198 posts)It hasnt come up before but Im not sure its one of the things they test for regularly. Anyway the doc told me to start taking 2000 IUD a day. I just started yesterday. In my case I think its linked to bone cancer but sounds like its good to keep taking it. I really havent been getting much sun since the lockdown.
When they drew the blood I had to sign something that said Id pay for the D test out of pocket if insurance denies it. Thats the first time thats happened which makes me think they havent been monitoring it before.