A recent study by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust and the University of East Anglia in the UK revealed that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of dying from coronavirus.
The study entitled 'The role of vitamin D in preventing mortality from coronavirus disease', could contribute to understanding this new coronavirus that took everyone by surprise, and could be important in evaluating the style factors that could influence the body's response to the virus.
While the research results have not been validated by the scientific community, the researchers looked at existing information for data to catalog average vitamin D levels among citizens of 20 European countries, and then compared the figures with the number of deaths. by COVID-19 in each country.
This proved that there was a relationship between both data and that countries with higher levels of vitamin D registered fewer deaths.
Therefore, the study's authors, Petre Cristian Ilie , Simina Stefanescu, and Lee Smith , argue that "the most vulnerable population group for COVID-19 is also the one with the highest vitamin D deficiency," in addition to previous studies. suggest that having adequate levels of vitamin D can decrease the risk of respiratory infections like the flu.
The role of vitamin D and where to find it
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, one of the main components of bones.
It also helps, along with calcium, to reduce the loss of minerals in postmenopausal women, and fulfills biological functions in the immune system, metabolism and teeth.
You can get it in three ways: through the skin, food and supplements.
Our skin produces this macronutrient after exposing ourselves to the sun, but too much exposure to it can cause skin aging and skin cancer, so it is preferable to obtain it from other sources, such as food. For example: beef liver, eggs or blue fish.
How much vitamin D do i need?
Medline Plus notes that the recommended amounts, in international units (IU), are:
1. Birth up to 12 months: 400 IU
2. Children between one and 13 years old: 600 IU
3. Adolescents between 14 and 18 years old : 600 IU
4. Adults from 19 to 70 years old: 600 IU
5. Adults over 71 years: 800 IU
6. Pregnant and lactating women: 600 IU
According to experts, a lack of this vitamin can lead to a loss of bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures and, when severe, can lead to other diseases, such as rickets in children, a condition that causes that the bones become soft and bend.
But getting too much vitamin D can be harmful, as it could damage the kidneys and raise the level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause confusion, disorientation and heart rhythm problems.
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