Currently, due to the pandemic that has affected most of the countries, the population's concern has increased. This has led people to desperately seek ways to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19 , including taking certain supplements.
Many people often wonder if vitamin D supplements can help them get this disease, so it is important to note that a cure for COVID-19 has not yet been created; there are only preventive measures such as social distancing and proper hygiene practice.
According to scientific research, the adequate level of vitamin D, as well as the consumption of these supplements can help you keep your immune system healthy, protecting you against viral diseases and respiratory conditions.
Learn about the benefits of vitamin D and if it really influences the risk of contracting COVID-19
Effects of vitamin D on the immune system
Vitamin D is necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system, being the body's first line of defense against infections and diseases. Similarly, it has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties and is essential for activating defenses against infections (Bivona, Agnello & Ciaccio, 2018).
This vitamin improves the function of immune cells, including T cells and macrophones, which protect your body against pathogens. On the other hand, vitamin D is important for immune function. Low levels of this vitamin have been related to a greater susceptibility to infections, diseases and problems related to the immune system (Aranow, 2011).
Similarly, low levels of vitamin D have been linked to an increased risk of respiratory diseases, such as tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, as well as viral and bacterial respiratory diseases (Bener, Ehlayel, and Hamid, 2014).
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to decreased lung function, which can affect the body's ability to fight respiratory infections (Sagmen et al., 2017).
Can consuming vitamin D prevent COVID-19?
To date, there is no cure or effective treatment to avoid contracting COVID-19. On the other hand, no studies have proven the effect of supplements or vitamin D deficiency on the risk of contracting COVID-19 .
A study has shown that vitamin D deficiency can affect immune function, increasing the risk of developing respiratory diseases. They have also indicated that vitamin D supplements can improve the immune response and protect against respiratory infections in general (Rondanelli, Miccono and Perna, 2018).
On the other hand, another study that included 11,321 people from 14 countries, determined that supplementation with vitamin D decreased the risk of contracting acute respiratory infections (ARI), both in those people who had vitamin D deficiency and in those with adequate levels . The study showed that vitamin D supplements helped reduce the risk of developing an ARF by 12%. The protective effect was more efficient in those with low levels of vitamin D (Martineau et al., 2017).
The study found that vitamin D supplements were more effective in protecting against ARIs when given in small doses, while being less effective in large doses. On the other hand, it was shown that vitamin D supplements reduce mortality in older adults, who have a higher risk of contracting diseases such as COVID-19 (Bjelakovic et al., 2014).
Keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence indicating that taking vitamin D supplements helps protect you against COVID-19. However, vitamin D can improve the body's response to infections and diseases in general. This is important since many people are vitamin D deficient, especially those who are elderly, as they are at risk of developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
How much vitamin D should you eat?
If you want to determine your vitamin D levels, you should go to your trusted doctor for a personalized diagnosis.
Depending on your blood levels, supplementation can range from 1,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D per day, which is sufficient for most people. However, those with low blood levels will require much higher doses to raise the levels to a stable range.
Although recommendations on the optimal level of vitamin D can vary, most experts agree that optimal levels of vitamin D are between 30-60 ng / ml (75-150 nmol / L).
conclusion
Vitamin D plays an important role during the proper functioning of the body, as it will help you avoid contracting diseases thanks to the strengthening of the immune system. Research has shown that vitamin D protects the body from respiratory infections, especially in people who are deficient in vitamin D.
There is no evidence yet that vitamin D helps prevent COVID-19 ; therefore, it is recommended to follow all the care and hygiene tips to avoid contracting the disease. However, although its benefits on COVID-19 are not proven, it can help you keep your immune system much stronger , improving the body's response to infections.
We leave you the best offers of Vitamin D supplements
References
- Aranow, C. (2011). Vitamin D and the Immune System. US National Library of Medicine . doi: 10.2310 / JIM.0b013e31821b8755
- Bener, A. Ehlayel, M. and Hamid, Q. (2014). The impact of Vitamin D deficiency on asthma, allergic rhinitis and wheezing in children: An emerging public health problem. Journal of Family & Community Medicine. doi: 10PMC4214003
- Bivona, G., Agnello, L. and Ciaccio, M. (2018). The immunological implication of the new vitamin D metabolism. Central European Journal of Immunology. doi: 10PMC6305614
- Bjelakovic, G., Gluud, L., Nikolova, D., Whitfield, K., Wetterslev, J., Simonetti, R., Bjelakovic, M.,… Gluud, C. (2014). Vitamin D Supplementation for Prevention of Mortality in Adults. US National Library of Medicine . doi: 10.1002 / 14651858.CD007470.pub3
- Rondanelli, M., Miccono, A. and Perna, S. (2018). Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea in Three Main Immune Interactive Clusters (Physical Barriers, Innate and Adaptive Immunity) Involved during an Episode of Common Colds — Practical Advice on Dosages and on the Time to Take These Nutrients / Botanicals in order to Prevent or Treat Common Colds. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi: 10PMC5949172
- Martineau, A., Jolliffe, D., Hooper, R., Greenber, L., Aloia, J., Bergan, P.,… Kumar, G. (2017). Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. British Medical Journal. doi: 10.1136 / bmj.i6583
- Sagmen, S. Baykan, O., Balcan, B. and Ceyhan, B. (2017). Association Between Severe Vitamin D Deficiency, Lung Function and Asthma Control. US National Library of Medicine . doi: 10.1016 / j.arbres.2016.09.010
