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Scientists in the US have found a “significant association” between vitamin D levels and patients’ resistance to COVID-19.
A Boston University study based on the hospital experiences of 235 people suffering with COVID-19 found that over 40s were 51.5% less likely to die from the disease if they had adequate vitamin D levels.
The scientists defined “adequate” as 30 nanograms per millilitre.
“After adjusting for confounding factors, there was a significant association between vitamin D sufficiency and reduction in clinical severity, inpatient mortality serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and an increase in lymphocyte percentage,” the study's authors explained.
“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 significant reduction in serum CRP, an inflammatory marker, along with increased lymphocytes percentage 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.”
Lead author Dr. Michael F. Holick said the study offered direct evidence that vitamin D can reduce complications – and ultimately death – in people with COVID-19.
A study published in the Journal of American Medicine earlier this month also found a “statistically significant” difference in the chances of contracting COVID-19 between vitamin D sufficient and insufficient patients.
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