The United Kingdom health experts said in their study that there is no evidence to support that vitamin D can prevent or treat COVID-19. Although, the National Health Services of the country suggest taking vitamin D supplements during lockdown to compensate for sun exposure.
Vitamin D is an essential source of the health of muscles, bones, and it regulated the immune system of the body. It has also been effective in the prevention of respiratory infections, that suggested it might help to prevent or treat the symptoms of COVID-19.
A group of researchers from the Institute of Health and Wellbeing and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (Univerity of Glasgow, UK) clinically tested the efficacy of Vitamin D with COVID-19. Review of the study concluded that the level of Vitamin D does not influence the symptoms or death due to COVID-19.
Hastie, Mackay, and colleagues suggested that the studies that support the link lack the intervention process that investigates the effects of vitamin supplements on the infection and treatment. The authors of the study concluded that,
“Our findings do not support a potential link between vitamin D concentrations and risk of COVID-19 infection, nor that Vitamin D concentration may explain ethnic differences in COVID-19 infection.”
Moreover, the study pointed out that confounding factors (higher body mass index, socioeconomic deprivation, and old age) might act as confounding factors. It provided an alternative explanation for the link between vitamin D and COVID-19.
The study reviewed by health experts of the study adjusted the confounding variables (sociodemographic factors, pre-existing illness, ethnicity, and BMI) and the researcher did not find an independent association between vitamin D levels and COIVID-19.
Therefore, it impossible to conclude whether the lack of vitamin D is a potential risk for infection due to COVID-19 or death.
The authors of the study also suggest that,
“However, all people should continue to follow UK government advice on daily vitamin D supplementation to maintain muscle and bone health during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
