Vitamin D & COVID 19

A recent study has found an association between low average levels of vitamin D and high numbers of COVID-19 cases and mortality rates across 20 European countries.

Dr Lee Smith of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Mr Petre Cristian Ilie, lead urologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust have expanded previous research on the action of vitamin D in respiratory tract infections. 

Since vitamin D modulates white cell response in the body, it may prove useful in damping the cytokine release as well. Response to COVID 19 is known to cause an excess of ‘pro-inflammatory’ cytokines.

Italy and Spain, two countries with a population low on average Vitamin D, have experienced higher COVID 19 mortality rates. Northern European countries, on the other hand, experience far fewer. 

The study by Dr. Smith and Mr. Cristian points to various causes for the difference: Lower strong sun exposure, and thus less vitamin D synthesis in southern European countries, especially among the elderly; consumption of cod liver oil, higher consumption of vitamin D supplements, and possibly less sun avoidance in northern countries. 

“We found a significant crude relationship between average vitamin D levels and the number COVID-19 cases, and particularly COVID-19 mortality rates, per head of population across the 20 European countries,” Dr. Smith of ARU said.

Similar research in Colombia, by John F. Arboleda-Alzate, and Silvio Urcuqui-Inchima at the University of Antioquia, in Medellin, has offered the use of vitamin D, an ‘immunomodulator,’ as an interim measure to mitigate effects of COVID 19.

“Accordingly, an increasing number of studies are postulating blockade of this (ACE2) receptor as a likely therapeutic strategy for COVID-19,” the Colombian researchers add.