People who are vitamin D deficient are nearly 60 percent more likely to test positive for coronavirus, according to a new study.
The “retrospective study” was conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago, and was published Sept. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
To perform the study the research team looked at 489 University of Chicago Medical Center patients whose vitamin D level was measured within a year before being tested for COVID-19.
Dramatic difference
The researchers found that patients who had a Vitamin D deficiency were almost twice as likely to test positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus compared to patients who had sufficient levels of the vitamin.
For this survey “deficiency” was determined to be any Vitamin D level less than 20 nanograms/milliliter.
A blood test showing a Vitamin D level between 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/milliliter is considered adequate for healthy people.
Though medical communities in other countries have touted Vitamin D benefits from the onset of COVID-19, it is an entirely different story in the U.S.
In the U.S. medical practitioners and supplement sellers alike have to be very careful when making claims about the benefits of any vitamin or herb for fear of reprisal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
University researchers, however, don’t have to operate in fear of having their business shut down. Because of that, the University of Chicago researchers appear to be quite open in their comments:
“Vitamin D is important to the function of the immune system and vitamin D supplements have previously been shown to lower the risk of viral respiratory tract infections,” said David Meltzer, MD, Ph.D., Chief of Hospital Medicine and lead author of the study. “Our statistical analysis suggests this may be true for the COVID-19 infection.”
Correlation versus causation
The researchers dampened the headline-grabbing news somewhat by pointing out the study only determined that Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 are two conditions frequently seen together. This is known as correlation. And correlation does not prove causation.
However, though additional clinical trials will be needed to prove an absolute link, this new study builds on earlier studies already proving unquestionable immune benefits of Vitamin D… including protection against viruses and respiratory ailments.
(See our earlier post Five studies showing Vitamin D is a powerful virus fighter here.)
It also corroberates what is already a widely-accepted fact in most Asian countries: that Vitamin D offers significant protection against coronaviruses.
“Understanding whether treating Vitamin D deficiency changes COVID-19 risk could be of great importance locally, nationally and globally,” Meltzer said. “Vitamin D is inexpensive, generally very safe to take, and can be widely scaled.”
The findings of the study cannot be over-stated. When considering the findings of the study in light of the fact that half of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D, it appears a simple supplement could be a real game changer in the fight against coronaviruses.
When considering a Vitamin D supplement, be mindful of the fact that it is better-absorbed and more effective when taken with other complimenting nutrients.
Optimal Health Systems offers two potent formulas that include synergistic blends of Vitamin D:
• Optimal Longevi-D (with Vitamin K2 and CoQ10).
• Essential DAK1K2 (with vitamins A, K1 and K2).
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Sources: JAMA Network Open, University of Chicago News, MedicalXPress.com.