For now, answer may lie in a simple vitamin: vitamin D.
Low vitamin D levels may put people at risk of developing COVID-19, according to a new study by Leumit HealthCare Services and Azrieli College of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University.
What researchers found. The main finding of our study was that low plasma vitamin D levels are significantly associated with likelihood of contracting COVID-19.
1. How does vitamin D help fight COVID-19?
Studies support some scientists' view that people with vitamin D deficiency have a weak or abnormal immune response, making them more likely to develop severe symptoms of COVID-19.
2. What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin because our body cannot exist without it. Vitamin D exists in two forms: D2 and D3
.
3. How common is vitamin D deficiency?
50% of the world's people are deficient in vitamin D. It affects 1 billion people worldwide. How can it be? Here are some reasons why:
4. What does vitamin D do?
Vitamin D performs two important functions:
1. Calcium and phosphorus metabolism
Vitamin D increases level of calcium and phosphorus in blood. It also regulates activity of osteoblasts (bone building) and osteoclasts (bone removal). For prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, large doses of vitamin D are not recommended. It should be used within recommended dosage range.
2. Supports body's defense mechanisms against infection
Vitamin D has a complex effect on body's defense mechanisms. It plays a role in maintaining barrier function of skin and other epithelial surfaces. It is also involved in innate immunity, your body's ability to recognize and destroy invading organisms. Vitamin D plays a role in adaptive immunity, way your body produces an antibody response.
5. Why is vitamin D deficiency important?
As there is growing evidence that low vitamin D levels can pose a health risk, it is important to emphasize that these are observational studies—studies that report data collected in a specific population/situation—and only because they are not proves a causal relationship. More research is needed. However, association between low vitamin D levels and many different diseases remains relevant and of great public health interest.
6. If you don't get enough vitamin D, what are health problems?
Vitamin D deficiency has been reported:
It's worth noting that other studies have reported reduced mortality in people who took vitamin D supplements.
7. How can I increase my vitamin D levels?
Study suggests deficiency of this vitamin is linked to risk of contracting COVID-19
Is osteoporosis a calcium deficiency, a vitamin D deficiency? Actually there are other reasons.
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