Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. A recent study has shown that there is a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and Covid 19. There was a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism that involved 216 patients who had been diagnosed with Covid 19. The results of the study showed that 82.2 percent of the patients were deficient in vitamin D. Men were more likely to develop a vitamin D deficiency than women.

People who had lower vitamin D levels were also more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart disease. Those conditions increase one’s risk of being hospitalized for Covid 19. Dr. Hans Konrad Biesalki is a professor at the University of Honheim. He stated that the comorbidities that increased the risk of Covid 19 complications were also associated with lower vitamin D levels.

What Role Does Vitamin D Play in Covid 19 Recovery?

Not only have researchers found that there is a link between low vitamin D levels and Covid 19, but they have also found that it can help people recover from the disease. Jose L Hernandez is the co-author of the study. He is also a professor at the University of Cantrabria. He stated that identifying and treating vitamin D deficiencies can help treat and prevent Covid 19.

He also stated that the elderly and high-risk patients can be treated with vitamin D. Additionally, Jose stated that vitamin D can help protect the immune system.

How You Can Protect Yourself

You may be wondering about what you can do to protect yourself. You may also be wondering if you need to take a supplement. The only way that you can know if you have a vitamin D deficiency is to get tested. However, Dr. Michael F. Holick, who practices at the Bone Health Care Clinic at Boston University, does not recommend that everyone get tested.

He does say that people should get tested if they are obese or have underlying medical conditions. According to the Endocrine Society, infants need 400 to 1,000 IUs per day. Children need 600 to 1,000 IUs per day. Adults need 600 to 2,000 IUs per day.

If you are obese or low in vitamin D, then you may need two or three times more than the standard recommended amount. Several studies have shown that people who are low in vitamin D are more likely to develop respiratory infections.

One study also showed that people who had adequate levels of vitamin D were 51.5 percent less likely to die from Covid 19. If you already have Covid 19, then there are no downsides to taking a supplement unless you have sarcoidosis.