Philip C Calder, professor of nutritional immunology within medicine at the University of Southampton, acknowledged the foothold that vitamin C and zinc hold in the immune health space.
However, he has noticed an increased interest in other nutrients, such as vitamin D. Vitamin D is typically associated with bone health, but research into its effects on Covid-19 came into focus about a year into the pandemic. One Israeli study offered insight into a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 severity and mortality. Research into vitamin D covered the early months of the virus outbreak when there was no vaccine and consumers were becoming ill in mass quantities.
The Israeli researchers “… found that people with a vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop a severe or critical case of Covid-19 compared to people who had sufficient levels of the vitamin in their blood”.
According to the study, patients with a vitamin D deficiency were 14 times more likely to have a severe or critical case of Covid-19. Additionally, the study said the mortality rate for those with insufficient vitamin D levels was 25.6%, compared with 2.3% among those with adequate levels.
While there are several small studies available to support a beneficial relationship between consumers’ increased vitamin D consumption, many scientific reports remain on the fence about the true effects of this vitamin to reduce or eliminate Covid symptoms.
In 2021, Australian researchers compiled an overview of available research into vitamin D and Covid-19. They noted, “While there are some conflicting results reported, the consensus is that vitamin D has a host of immunomodulatory effects which may be beneficial in the context of Covid-19 and that low levels of vitamin D can result in dysfunction of crucial antimicrobial effects, potentially contributing to poor prognosis.”
Switzerland recommends vitamin D supplementation for older adults
