Scientists have linked the risk of death from coronavirus with levels of vitamin D.
Levels of vitamin D in the body is associated with the risk of death from coronavirus, I think the British experts. The exact mechanisms are yet unclear, but the researchers hope that supplementation with vitamin D will improve the survival rate at COVID-19.
Vitamin D can play an important role in preventing death from the coronavirus SARS-COV-2, the researchers from the Foundation for the Queen Elizabeth hospital and the University of East Anglia. They talked about it in an article published in the preprints of Research Square.
the Researchers analyzed data from about 20 countries, including Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, published in 2019, and then compared them with the ratio of deaths from COVID-19. It turned out that the higher vitamin D deficiency in the population, the greater proportion of deaths.
“the Most vulnerable group of the population for COVID-19 — the one with the highest vitamin D deficiency,” say the researchers.
the location of the country vitamin D deficiency depended little. So, in Iceland, a third examined his … his was below 50 nmol/l, which talked about a sufficient amount. In Switzerland the figure was more than half. The almost universal failure was observed in Poland and Estonia. However, the best things were also in the Nordic countries — Finland, Sweden, Norway. Also expressed lack of consumption was seen in Greece, Spain and Italy. However, not all the data was fresh and some reflect the statistics of the past decades that could change.
Russia was one of the countries with the most notable deficiency of vitamin D in some populations, especially among elderly patients, severe deficiency (<30 nmol/l) was observed in more than half of the cases.
the lowest vitamin D levels observed in older people who are at risk. The researchers propose to take products with vitamin D to increase its levels in the body and may reduce risks.
However, causal communication scientists have not yet spoken — it is only about correlation. Perhaps there are other factors simultaneously associated with vitamin D levels in the body, and resistance to coronavirus. This relationship is yet to be explored.
in addition, not all experts agree with the benefits of taking dietary supplements.
“vitamin D is a hot topic that causes a debate for and against the wide spread of nutritional supplements,” say the researchers mark Bolland of the University of Auckland in New Zealand and Alison Avenell from the University of Aberdeen in the UK. Results on certain vitamins work may look promising, but in rereality the taking dietary supplements is rarely a panacea and it can be recommended without considering the individual needs, they explain. In order to talk about the unqualified use of a particular additive needed randomized placebo-controlled studies.
to Help the immune system to deal more effectively with the coronavirus with the help of a balanced diet, say experts from the University of Southampton.
the Researchers explain that vitamins and minerals are essential for synthesis and maintenance of activity of antimicrobial proteins, cell differentiation, phagocytic activity.
they are Also important to support the health of the lymphocytes, production of cytokines and antibodies.
Although a balanced diet solves a lot of problems, in practice not everyone can stick with it even in developed countries. Most often the diet is lacking vitamins A, C, D and E, magnesium and zinc. Elderly people do not have enough vitamin B6, women folate, iron, and copper. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals depending on the region and social group, but is present almost everywhere.
Therefore, in addition to proper nutrition, the researchers still recommended to consider taking dietary supplements. Of course, the consumption of vitamins and minerals should not exceed the upper limit of normal.
