An Israeli research team has now proven the already suspected connection between a severe course of Covid 19 and a low vitamin D level – the finding also applies to the milder omicron variant.
The assumption has existed for a long time and also previous studies want to have found clues for this, while others once more opposed. And yet it seems to be true: Those who are sufficiently supplied with vitamin D have a lower probability of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 or the current omicron variant or even dying. The current Israeli study is one of the first to analyze the vitamin D level of corona patients before they are infected.
Vitamin D levels determined in 1176 patients before their infection
Researchers from Bar-Ilan University and Galilee Medical Center searched records of vitamin D levels from 1,176 patients hospitalized with positive PCR tests between April 2020 and February 2021. The respective measurement was carried out two years to two weeks before the infection. The scientists then looked to see whether a connection might be found between the deficiency and the course of the disease.1
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14 times more likely to have a severe course in vitamin D deficiency
The analysis showed that people with vitamin D deficiency (less than 20 ng/ml) were 14 times more likely to develop severe or critical Covid than those with more than 40 ng/ml. It was also striking that the mortality rate in patients with sufficient vitamin D levels was only 2.3 percent. In contrast to 25.6 percent in the vitamin D-deficient group. The study was adjusted for age, gender, time of year, and chronic illness, and found similar results throughout. They all highlighted that low vitamin D levels contribute significantly to the severity of delta, omicron, and presumably future variants.
Vitamin D can save lives
Even if the currently rampant omicron variant is comparatively mild, the researchers emphasize in their university statement how important adequate supply is not only during the pandemic period. “Our results suggest that it is advisable to maintain normal vitamin D levels. This will be beneficial for anyone who contracts the virus,” said study leader Dr. Amiel Dror.2 Vitamin D is as dietary supplements inexpensive, easy to use and can make the difference between life and death. “This is especially true in the Covid-19 pandemic, as adequate vitamin D has an added benefit for proper immune response.”
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A little bit closer to the mystery of how susceptible Covid-19 is to people
Why some get through almost symptom-free and others need intensive care treatment is still one of the biggest puzzles of the pandemic for Dror and his team. Although pre-existing conditions play and apparently also overweight a major role, but it also affects seemingly healthy young people once more and once more. “This study adds to a constantly evolving body of evidence suggesting that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor,” explains the physician. “There is still much unclear, but our result adds a new dimension to solving this mystery.”
sources
- Dror A.A., Morozov N., Daoud A. et al. (2022) Pre-infection 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and association with severity of COVID-19 illness. PLOS ONE
- Bar-Ilan-Univeristy (2022) Pre-infection deficiency of vitamin D is associated with increased disease severity and mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. EurekAlert!