New Delhi: Sufficient levels of Vitamin D can prevent Covid-19 patients’ condition from deteriorating and it can even reduce the need for oxygen, a study by the Boston University has shown.
“Only 9.7% of patients older than 40 years who were vitamin D sufficient succumbed to the infection compared to 20% who had a circulating level of 25(OH)D< 30 ng/ml,” the researchers at the Boston University said in an article in PLOS One.
“The significant reduction in serum CRP, an inflammatory marker, along with increased Ðpercentage suggest that vitamin D sufficiency also may help modulate the immune response possibly by reducing risk for cytokine storm in response to this viral infection.”
25(OH)D or 25-hydroxyvitamin D is a measure of Vitamin D in the body. CRP or C reactive protein is commonly assayed to check the inflammation levels caused by an infection. The higher the inflammation, the greater is the infection usually.
“This study provides direct evidence that vitamin D sufficiency can reduce the complications, including the cytokine storm (release of too many proteins into the blood too quickly) and ultimately death from COVID-19,” said author Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics and molecular medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine.
During the study, the Vitamin D levels of 235 hospitalised Covid patients were measured.
The patients were monitored regularly to see how severe the infection became, if they had difficulty breathing and whether they were finally able to overcome the disease. Their C reactive protein and lymphocyte levels were also measured.
Also read: Vitamin D supplement calcifediol could reduce death risk in Covid patients, Spanish study says
Vitamin D has a role in the immune response of the body
Vitamin D is believed to have a role in the immune response of the body. There have been views about it playing a preventive role in Covid.
“Vitamin D interacting with its receptor (VDR) in immune cells, modulates the innate and acquired immune systems in response to invasion of bacterial and viral pathogens. It also acts as a modulator of renin-angiotensin pathway and down-regulates ACE-2.. Therefore, vitamin D might help in treatment of COVID-19 by preventing the cytokine storm and subsequent ARDS which is commonly the cause of mortality,” the researchers noted.
The report also suggested to explain the impact of Vitamin D in influenza cases in winter when sunny days are fewer in number. ACE2 mediates infection by the SARS-CoV2 virus. Its down regulation can, therefore, reduce the severity of the infection.
Only 32.8% participants in the study had sufficient Vitamin D. “The severity of clinical outcomes from COVID-19 and mortality were reduced in patients who were vitamin D sufficient. Clinical features were also significantly different in patients who were Vitamin D sufficient. They had a lower risk of becoming unconscious and becoming hypoxic.
“Patients who were Vitamin D sufficient had significantly lower blood levels of the inflammatory marker CRP and had a higher total blood lymphocyte count suggesting that Vitamin D sufficiency had improved the immune function in these patients and raising the inflammatory markers. This beneficial effect on the immune system may also reduce the risk of acquiring this insidious potentially life-threatening viral infection,” the researchers concluded.
Also read: Vitamin D deficiency, speech delay, dry eyes — the impact of ‘Covid lifestyle’ on children
Atapsnan means to bath with the sunlight.Snan in bengali means bathing.It was invented by Sri sibananda swraswati of Shivananda math,Assam.Take sufficient sunrays in your body sitting or lying in a free space where sufficiant sunligt (normally in the morning) emerges by wrapping your whole body with a bedshit or a cloth.At least 10 to 15 minutes at a time,two or three times in day. You will be surely benifitted from the effect of cough,cold,influenza,arhirities and metabolic disorder. R.S.Goswami,yoga therapist.
Then y idiotic treatment in ac room…….please patiant should treat normal climate……
So, should we go out in the sun or not?
Vitamin D must be provided by health workers through the Ministry of health Rather than big talking about Vaccine…To the general population in India immediately…. Because other three important guidelines like…Musk.. Handwashing & social distance among people are more or less maintaining in India….
MAITAIN SOCIAL DISTENSE. USE MASK. HAVE STEAM INHALATION. NO NEED FOR VACCINE. Suspected individual please go for self isolation.
So remove all restrictions ??
Dear Mr. Edison,
How did you get this conclusion (of listing ALL curbs) from an article on Vit. D?
Do you always behave in such a frustrated manner?
Most of the rich people died….why…they always using ac condition……..in car or home…….in my views people who work in sun light and tuch with outside work….they not much infected……. In government hospital treated persons are recovered earlier….there is no ac…..but private hospital treated upto death treatment in ac room……how can we stop this generating viruses in ac room…..
Mass testing and distribution of Vitamin D will be a cheaper alternative to vaccines. Also more realistic protective measure as no one knows when the vaccine is coming and how effective it is going to be anyway.
Basically spending more time under the Sun!