More research confirms that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is extremely important for reducing the risk of infection with SARS Cov-2.
A six-week observational study of 154 people published in Nature found that 97 percent of individuals with severe COVID-19 had vitamin D deficiency (mean concentration was 14 ng/mL) compared to 33 percent of people with asymptomatic COVID-19 (mean concentration was 28 ng/mL). The study also found that the fatality rate of the group with lower vitamin D3 levels was 21 percent compared to 3 percent in the group with higher vitamin D levels. In addition, the vitamin D deficient-group had higher inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-6, ferritin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Vitamin D plays an essential role in the immune system by inhibiting inflammation and enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory signaling proteins.
We’ve previously written about the latest research on vitamin D and COVID – with additional information on who may be at greater risk of deficiency and suggestions on how to naturally increase vitamin D intake. We recommend maintaining vitamin D3 levels between 40-60 ng/mL for optimal immune health, leaning on the higher side for those with existing immune complications.