Are pre-existing Vitamin D deficiencies linked to COVID-19 severity and mortality?
Even as the coronavirus disease 20019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread and new variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerge, much remains to be known about why severity varies so unpredictably between individuals.
medRxiv server, elucidates the relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19 severity.
Background
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule that is important for bone metabolism and as an immunomodulator. Low levels of this vitamin have been linked to autoimmune disease, poor heart health, and infectious diseases.
Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a health problem worldwide, especially common in the Middle East. The major risk factors include low skin exposure, highly pigmented skin, and low consumption of fish and dairy products. Several researchers have found that influenza and respiratory virus infections are linked to VDD.
Study finds limited association between vitamin D and improved COVID-19 outcomes
New research shows a lack of an association between Vitamin D deficiency and the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, recoveries, or mortality rates in European countries.
Malnutrition can increase a person’s risk of mortality from various diseases. Previous studies have examined if vitamin D deficiency could influence the prevalence of COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Some postulate that vitamin D can protect against lung infection by attenuating an overactive immune system and preventing acute respiratory syndrome (ARS), both of which are associated with severe and critical COVID-19.