A study published by JAMA Network Open found that vitamin D deficiency can increase an individual’s risk of becoming infected with Covid19 by 77%.
The study analyzed data from 489 participants, as many as 25% of whom were found to have less-than-optimal levels of vitamin D.
Of those found to be lacking in the vitamin, 22% contracted Covid19. Of the 60% of participants with adequate levels of vitamin D, just 12% became infected.
“There is prior evidence from multiple sources that vitamin D can enhance both innate and adaptive immunity,” Dr. David O. Meltzer, a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, and one of the lead researchers said.
“Vitamin D also…may prevent the excess inflammation that is part of the challenge in managing severe COVID-19,” he added.
You can read more here and the study in its entirety here.
Photo by Mx. Granger