Coronavirus: lack of vitamin D increases danger of Covid-19 infection, study says

A significant majority of patients hospitalised by Covid-19 have low levels of vitamin D, a new study has revealed.

After testing 216 coronavirus patients at the Marques de Valdecilla University Hospital in Spain, researchers found that 82% had a vitamin D deficiency, with men more likely to have low levels than women.

Patients with low rates of the vitamin also showed “increased serum levels of inflammatory markers such as ferritin and D-dimer when they had low levels of vitamin D”, Sky News says. “Levels of inflammatory markers rise in the body when it is fighting off an infection,” the broadcaster adds.

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Dr Jose Hernandez, one of the lead researchers, said medics should “identify and treat vitamin D deficiency”, especially in high-risk individuals such as the elderly and nursing home residents, who are the “main target population for Covid-19”.

“Vitamin D treatment should be recommended in Covid-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D circulating in the blood since this approach might have beneficial effects in both the musculoskeletal and the immune system,” he added.

Last month, a separate study by Boston University found sufficient levels of vitamin D make people less likely to experience complications and die from coronavirus, while researchers have also found that it could reduce rates of infection.

Symptoms of low vitamin D levels include tiredness, weakness, muscle and bone pain. As well as sunlight and supplements, other sources of vitamin D include oily fish, meat and eggs, as well as fortified breakfast cereals, soya milk and vegetable margarines.

In April, Public Health England recommended taking daily vitamin D supplements through the spring and summer due to combat lockdown restrictions.