Vanesa Lopez
10/27/2020 2:48 PM
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 10/27/2020 2:48 PM
There has been a lot of talk about the possible benefits of vitamin D against the coronavirus.
Now, a new study added another chapter by showing that more than
80%
of
Covid-19
patients
admitted to a hospital in Spain had it in
deficient quantities
.
The research - published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - also found that vitamin D deficiency is
more common in men
than in women.
Vitamin D is actually a hormone.
Its deficiency was linked to a variety of health problems.
And many studies point to its beneficial effect on the immune system, especially in protecting against infections.
"One approach is to identify and
treat vitamin D deficiency
, especially in high-risk people, such as the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and residents of nursing homes," said study co-author José Hernández, from the University of Cantabria (Spain).
"Treatment with vitamin D should be recommended in Covid-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D circulating in the blood, as this approach could have
beneficial
effects
on the immune and musculoskeletal system
," Hernández continued.
The researchers found that
82.2% of 216 Covid-19 patients
admitted to the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (Spain) had vitamin D deficiency. That percentage was almost
double the control group
, made up of 197 ordinary people. population, where only 47.2% were deficient.
It is important to check the dose of vitamin D and, if it is deficient, to carry out supplementation.
Photo AP.
They found that vitamin D-deficient Covid-19 patients had a higher prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as
a longer hospital stay
than those with optimal levels.
The authors found no relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severity of Covid-19 disease, including mortality.
Although, the report indicates
, more studies must be carried out,
including a larger sample, to determine its impact.
What is the link between vitamin D and Covid-19?
"The
protective effect
may be related to suppress the inflammatory response and also reduce the severity or risk of a distress syndrome acute respiratory" he told
Clarin
Virginia Busnelli, specialist medical nutritionist and director of the Center for Endocrinology and Nutrition CRENYF.
"There is also evidence from a meta-analysis that regular oral intake of vitamin D2 D3 is safe and that it can
protect against acute respiratory tract infection
, especially in subjects who may become vitamin D deficient," continues the specialist.
"On the other hand, there are some recent and experimental studies that show in mice that have bilateral pneumonia that vitamin D is locally activated in lung tissue and
has a preventive effect
on the worsening of this pneumonia", Busnelli completes.
The natural source of vitamin D in humans is exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Photo Fernando de la Orden.
For their part, Karina Luna and Yésica Rega, graduates in nutrition from DIM Health Centers, explain that our defense system is made up of Th1 and Th2 cells.
The latter play an important role in
identifying and attacking any pathogenic substance or organism
that the body considers foreign, such as the Covid-19 virus.
The active form of vitamin D would increase the Th2 response.
And the good supply of calcium would help in this task.
"For this reason, correct exposure to the sun, eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium, and if necessary, adequate supplementation is important. This would help us maintain the necessary vitamin D levels to be able to
face possible diseases infectious
, including Covid-19 ", say nutritionists.
However, they clarify that "
in no case does
food, by itself, prevent or cure coronavirus infection."
The importance of being out in the sun
According to Dr. Busnelli, it
is very difficult to
incorporate vitamin D
through diet alone
.
It is in few foods, for example, fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, and in smaller amounts in liver, cheese and egg yolk.
We also find it in fortified dairy products.
The natural source in humans is
exposure to ultraviolet radiation from
the sun.
For this reason, Busnelli recommends that all people have exposure to sunlight, do some activity outdoors.
Fatty fish, such as salmon, are a source of vitamin D. Photo Juan Manuel Foglia.
"It is what allows the interaction between ultraviolet radiation and 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin,
promoting the synthesis of vitamin D
", says the specialist.
How much sun is necessary?
Nutritionists Luna and Rega respond that this depends on several factors.
For example, in winter an exposure of 20 to 30 minutes is recommended, while
in summer it reaches 2 to 5 minutes
, about 3 or 4 times a week.
The natural pigmentation of the skin also influences: the darker ones will need more sun exposure.
And it must be taken into account that at an older age the ability to transform inactive vitamin D into active is diminished.
When to take supplements
Busnelli considers it very important that all people
check their vitamin D dose
and, in case it is deficient, supplementation is carried out.
Vitamin D deficiency is considered when it is less than 20 / NG per milliliter.
Desirable values are greater than 30 / NG per milliliter.
And we are facing optimal levels, exceeding 40-50 / NG per milliliter
.
“Generally, endocrinologists
live dosing vitamin D
, because hypovitaminosis D has been associated with a higher prevalence of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
Also some respiratory, viral, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases ”, says Busnelli.
The special risk group is the elderly
, where the ability to synthesize vitamin D is
60 to 70% lower
than that of a young person.
In all cases, it is important to turn to a specialist doctor to tell us the necessary dose.
DD