Vitamin D is a hormone the kidneys produce that controls blood calcium concentration and impacts the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a variety of health concerns, although research is still underway into why the hormone impacts other systems of the body. Many studies point to the beneficial effect of vitamin D on the immune system, especially regarding protection against infections.
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 target population for the COVID-19.The vitamin, which promotes healthy bones and supports immune system function, is produced by the body naturally when it’s exposed to sunlight, though it can also be obtained from eating foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms and cheese. Patients with deficiencies of the sunlight vitamin in the study were also more likely to have hypertension and heart disease, as well as experience longer hospital stays. It is said that Vitamin D treatment should be recommended in COVID-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D circulating in the blood since this approach might have beneficial effects in both the musculoskeletal and the immune system. Researchers of this particular study describe being deficient in vitamin D as having levels lower than 20ng/mL, which can be determined with a blood test. While Vitamin D is not a cure for coronavirus, it helps in boosting the immunity system of the body. This helps the body to have greater strength and energy, which in turn helps in reducing the risk of getting a respiratory infection. Since COVID-19 is known to attack the respiratory system of the body, a strong system will be able to easily resist the effects of this deadly virus. Not enough vitamin D can affect bone structure, leading to risks of thin, brittle bones and also affect the immune system’s ability to function. Those most at risk of a vitamin D deficiency are those over 65 and people with dark skin. The darker your skin and the older you are, the less your body is able to produce the vitamin from the sun.
