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Vitamin D and COVID-19

Overview: In a study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, researchers found a potential correlation between mean levels of Vitamin D and the number of cases and rates of mortality caused by COVID-19.

Article Citation: Ilie, P.C., Stefanescu, S. & Smith, L. The Role Of Vitamin D In The Prevention Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection And Mortality. Aging Clin Exp Res(2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01570-8

Abstract Link: View Here

Study Methodology: Systematic Review

Human or Animal Participants: Human

Who Does This Research Impact: This study can provide guidance about the potential protective factor of Vitamin D in treating individuals infected with COVID-19 and is particularly important for individuals who are presently deficient in Vitamin D.

How to Use this Info: 

• Pay Attention to Vitamin D Levels: According to the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, the recommended daily dosage of Vitamin D should be 600-800 IU for the majority of individuals.
• Spend Time in the Sunlight: It is important to protect yourself from prolonged sun exposure; however, getting adequate doses of Vitamin D takes very little unprotected sun exposure. Health experts recommend 8 to 15 minutes of sunlight for those with lighter skin and possibly longer for those with darker skin.
• Take a Supplement: Most individuals can make sure they are getting the daily recommended amount of Vitamin D by taking a supplement. Between 1,000 and 4,000 IU is considered a safe dose for maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin D.
• Eat Fatty Fish and Seafood: Fatty fish and seafood are among the highest dietary sources of Vitamin D. Those highest in Vitamin D include wild salmon (farmed has been shown to have up to 25 percent less), mackerel, tuna, oysters, shrimp, sardines and anchovies).
• Consume Mushrooms: Mushrooms are the only complete plant-source of Vitamin D. Wild mushrooms such as maitakes have been shown to be higher than others in Vitamin D levels, but always make sure to carefully identify mushrooms to  be sure they are edible.
• Consider Adding Fortified Foods to Your Diet: Because very few foods contain naturally high levels of Vitamin D, you can increase your levels by eating foods fortified with Vitamin D. Some of these foods are:
  • Cow’s milk
  • Plant-based milk alternatives (almond, hemp and soy)
  • Tofu
  • Orange juice
  • Some cereals
  • Certain types of yogurt

Related Studies:

• Google Scholar: 10 articles appeared for the search, “COVID-19 and Vitamin D”
• PubMed: 19 articles appeared for the search, “COVID-19 and Vitamin D”

Related Articles:

• The Possible Role of Vitamin D in Suppressing Cytokine Storm and Associated Mortality in COVID-19 Patients
• Epidemic Influenza And Vitamin D.
• Vitamin D Supplementation To Prevent Acute Respiratory Tract Infections: Systematic Review And Meta-analysis Of Individual Participant Data.
• Vitamin D And Influenza-prevention Or Therapy?
• Vitamin D Receptor Activation Regulates Microglia Polarization And Oxidative Stress In Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats And Angiotensin Ii-exposed Microglial Cells: Role Of Renin-angiotensin System.
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 In Lung Diseases. 
• Current Vitamin D Status In European And Middle East Countries And Strategies To Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency: A Position Statement Of The European Calcified Tissue Society. 
• Prevalence Of Hypovitaminosis D In Elderly Women In Italy: Clinical Consequences And Risk Factors. 
• Is Vitamin D Deficiency A Major Global Public Health Problem? 
• Aging Decreases The Capacity Of Human Skin To Produce Vitamin D3.
• Vitamin D Levels In Healthy Premenopausal Women: Association With Bone Turnover Markers And Bone Mineral Density. 
• Racial Pigmentation And The Cutaneous Synthesis Of Vitamin D. 
• Impaired Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage Differentiation In Vitamin D Deficiency. 
• 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Is A Potent Suppressor Of Interferon Gamma-mediated Macrophage Activation. 
• Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 Protects From Lethal Avian Influenza A H5n1 Infections.
• Age- And Gender-related Difference Of Ace2 Expression In Rat Lung

Are Results of this Study Consistent With Other Related Studies: A deficiency in Vitamin D is a major public health concern throughout the world in all age groups, but is of particular concern for those over 70 years of age. Vitamin D levels deteriorate with age from decreased sun exposure and cutaneous synthesis.

Previous studies have examined the role Vitamin D supplementation plays in protecting against acute respiratory tract infections. A 2017 meta-analysis revealed that patients who were Vitamin D deficient, often those over 70 years old, experienced the greatest benefit. Additional studies have demonstrated that Vitamin D plays numerous roles in the immune system response to infection, including impairing macrophages from maturing and producing antigens.

Limitations of Study: The major limitation of this study is that Vitamin D levels are not currently available for COVID-19 patients. Researchers relied on previously established links between Vitamin D and the immune response to respiratory tract infections. Based on these links, the researchers in this study were able to establish a correlation between Vitamin D levels and the rate of COVID-19 deaths; however, further research is needed to account for other factors through direct measurement of Vitamin D levels among COVID-19 patients.

References and Related Information:

• Vitamin D Levels May Impact COVID-19 Mortality Rates, Study Claims (Fox 5)
• Should People Take Vitamin D to Ward off the New Coronavirus? (Medical News Today)
• Vitamin D & Covid-19: The Evidence so Far (American Council on Science and Health)
• COVID-19: How to Boost the Immune System With Vitamins (DW)
• Low Levels of Vitamin D May Be Linked to Severe COVID-19 (News Medical Life Sciences)
• Coronavirus: Should I Start Taking Vitamin D? (BBC)
• Vitamin D and Coronavirus Disparities (Wall Street Journal)
• Tyler Perry Is Encouraging Black People to Increase Their Vitamin D During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Black Enterprise)
• Could Vitamin D Deficiency Be the Underlying Reason for COVID-19? (Patch)
• It Is Time to Take Seriously the Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and More Serious COVID-19 Symptoms (The Telegraph)
• Fact Check: Vitamins C and D Are Not Used in ‘Conventional Treatment’ of Coronavirus (USA Today)