Can Vitamin D Reduce Risk for Covid-19?
Updated On Apr 23, 2021
The Covid-19 coronavirus infection is widespread all over the world, with no proven cure. Only preventive measures have been postulated along with symptomatic management to get rid of the infection. Healthcare practitioners focus on enhancing the immunity of the affected individual to fight against the antigens. Good levels of vitamin D in the blood will help in keeping the immune system strong and healthy. Patients with ample levels of vitamin D in their blood are also known to have a decreased risk of adverse disease outcomes.
Vitamin D Reduces the Risk of Covid-19 Infection
Studies that were conducted to determine the effect of vitamin D on the risk of contracting the new coronavirus states that a blood level of 30 ng/ml of hydroxy vitamin D decreases the likelihood of adverse outcomes and complications of covid-19. Vitamin D supplements are known to enhance the immune response and render excellent protection against respiratory infections.
Vitamin D supplements are known to be effective in protecting against acute respiratory infections when taken daily or weekly in small doses. It reduces mortality rates in older adults and decreases their susceptibility to infections. Vitamin D is known to have both anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory properties. It is known to enhance the functions of immune cells, including macrophages and T cells, that protects the body against pathogens. The higher constitution of vitamin D in the body enhances the ability of the body to fight against respiratory infections.
How Vitamin D Helps in Enhancing Immunity?
Vitamin D steers the immune system from a more inflammatory pathway to a more regulated pathway. It plays a very important role in keeping people healthy and helps them to fight illness in the least destructive way possible, through a mechanism termed as a cytokine storm.
Cytokines are proteins that are an integral part of the immune system. They are responsible for anti-inflammatory properties in the body and render excellent protection against diseases and infection.
It is best to receive vitamin D from natural sources such as sunlight, but the effects of vitamin D supplements should also not be underestimated.
Effect of Vitamin D in Enhancing the Overall Health
Some key points about the effect of vitamin D on our overall health are as follows:
- Vitamin D is known to reduce the risk of microbial infection and death.
- Vitamin D supplements have favorable antiviral effects, including HIV and influenza virus.
- It enhances the concentration and expression of ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) and thus renders a protective role against respiratory distress diseases and lung injury.
- People with low vitamin D levels in the blood had high levels of inflammatory markers.
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Bottom Line
According to health care experts, healthy blood levels of vitamin D will offer a better survival advantage for those diagnosed with Covid-19 infection. There is also no harm in taking the vitamin supplementation as a precaution as it also exerts several other benefits in enhancing bone health.
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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
