Vitamin D levels play a role in COVID-19 severity

Utilizing global data from 10 countries, researchers from Northwestern University found that patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates had lower levels of vitamin D compared to patients from countries that were not as severely affected. 

Vadim Backman, lead researcher for this study said that their team discovered a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm, as well as a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality.  He says that the cytokine storm seems to be the major factor for the deaths of COVID-19 patients, not the destruction of the lungs by the virus. The complications of the disease were arising from the misdirected fire of the immune system. 

For Backman, this is where vitamin D becomes very important as it enhances our innate immune system and prevents it from becoming overactive [to understand how the immune system works, visit What Happens When You Boost Your Immune System?]

Despite the results of this study, Backman cautions people from hoarding supplements, especially those without a known deficiency. Excessive doses of vitamin D come with negative side effects. 

Editor’s Note: The following article is important for several reasons. First, it offers us hope on how we can effectively protect vulnerable populations from the complications of the disease. Second, the article offers to us a greater understanding of the role of the immune system as well as how we can support its functions more appropriately. Third, the article offers another concrete reason why stay-at-home orders are ineffective [see 66% Of New Coronavirus Hospitalizations In New York Are From Those Who Stayed Home]. 

One of the best sources of vitamin D is sunlight [see Research Shows Vitamin D Is Crucial For Boosting Immune Systems]. As our children and elderly are prevented from leaving their homes and spending time outdoors, we are also inadvertently weakening their bodies and immune systems, hence effectively lowering their capacity to fight against the virus.