Does vitamin D deficiency increase the risk of infection with the Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is spreading again all over the world and in greater numbers.  Scientists have noted, that people who suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D are more likely to contract Coronavirus infection.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that performs multiple functions in the body. It also works as a vitamin, hormone, and immune booster. The vitamin is found in most immune cells, and the immune system needs adequate levels of vitamin D to fight pathogens.

Vitamin D performs immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral, so its deficiency can increase the risk of infection with the Coronavirus.

Vitamin D is fat-soluble, and adults need about 2000 – 3000 IU daily, while children need 1000 IU daily. Doses above 4000 IU are beneficial in the long term.

Can vitamin D help fight disease?

Vitamin D regulates the balance of calcium and phosphate and is essential for bone formation. Hence, its levels affect skeletal health during growth and into adulthood. Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly. The researchers noted that Corona virus patients suffer from a lack of vitamin D, and they also noticed that men suffer from a deficiency of vitamin D more than women, and that their death rate is higher.

It has also been observed that Corona patients who suffer from vitamin D deficiency stay for a longer period in the hospital, and suffer from high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, which proves the link of vitamin D and its effect on the Corona virus. 

How can vitamin D deficiency be compensated?

Vitamin D deficiency can be easily treated with an appropriate dose of vitamin D supplements, which can be obtained in the form of tablets and capsules. On the other hand, people who are deficient in Vitamin D should include foods rich in Vitamin D in their diet which include fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, cereals, milk, and orange juice.