Low Vitamin D Levels May Affect A Person’s Recovery From COVID-19



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ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium. But studies show that about 40% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin.

And new research suggests that low levels of vitamin D can affect a person’s chances of contracting and recovering from COVID-19.

This is called the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D helps keep your bones and your immune system strong. Now, researchers are finding that this vitamin may also be linked to COVID-19.

“There appear to be worse outcomes in COVID patients who have low levels of vitamin D,” said Dr. Ivan Castro, MD, who practices internal medicine at Private Health MD.

In a recent study, over 80% of 200 COVID hospital patients had vitamin D deficiency, and prescription vitamin D helped COVID patients recover better. Out of 50 patients who received it, none died and only one ended up in the ICU. In a group of 26 patients who did not receive vitamin D, two died and 13 were admitted to the ICU.

“Vitamin D is linked to the immune system,” said Castro, MD. You can make sure that you are getting enough vitamins. Foods like salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, egg yolks, mushrooms, milk, and oatmeal are high in vitamin D. Although the sun is the best source, your body produces vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight.

The recommended daily value of vitamin D for most adults is between 600 and 800 international units, depending on your age.

Sources: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-high-in-vitamin-d#Vitamin-D-and-calcium https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/ https : //www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2020/study-finds-over-80-percent-of-covid19-patients-have-vitamin-d-deficiency https: // www. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-and-vitamin-d/faq-20493088 https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200518/more-vitamin-d-lower-risk -of-severe-covid-19 https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-sunlight-health-effects#:~:text=It%20depends%20on%20your%20skin , effect% 20if% 20you% 20use% 20sunscreen https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/

Contributors to this story include: Julie Marks, producer; Bob Walko, videographer and editor. To receive a free weekly email from Ivanhoe on Smart Living, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk

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