A new research by the Trinity College of Dublin (Ireland) and the University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom) has examined the Association between Vitamin D and COVID-19, and has discovered that environmental B (UVB) radiation, which is Key for the production of vitamin D on the skin, at the place of residence of an individual in the weeks prior to Covid-19 infection, strongly protected against severe illness and death, as they published in Scientific Reports.
Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with greater susceptibility to viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Likewise, several observational studies found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19, but it could be that these effects were confused and actually be the result of other factors, such as obesity, advanced age or chronic diseases , which are also related to a low level of vitamin D.
To overcome this, the researchers were able to calculate the level of vitamin D "genetically predicted", which is not confused by other demographic, health and lifestyle factors, using the information of more than one hundred genes that determine the status of vitamin D.
Mendelian randomization is a particular analytical approach that allowed researchers to investigate whether vitamin D and COVID-19 could be related causally using genetic data. Some previous studies tried, but failed to demonstrate a causal relationship. This could be due to the fact that UVB solar radiation was ignored, which is the most important source of vitamin D for most people.
For the first time, the researchers jointly analyzed the level of vitamin D provided for genetics and UVB radiation. Almost half a million Individuals in the United Kingdom participated in the study, and environmental UVB radiation before Covid-19 infection was evaluated individually for each participant. When comparing the two variables, researchers discovered that the correlation with the concentration of vitamin D measured in circulation was three times higher for the level of vitamin D predicted by the UVB, compared to the genetically predicted.
Researchers discovered that environmental UVB radiation at the place of residence of an individual before Covid-19 infection was strong and inversely associated with hospitalization and death. This suggests that vitamin D can protect against severe disease by Covid-19 and death.
In addition, although the results of the Mendelian randomization analysis were not conclusive, some indications of a possible causal effect were observed. Due to the relatively weak link between genetically predicted vitamin D level that is used for the Mendelian randomization analysis, it is possible that the number of cases of the current study was too small to convincingly determine the causal effect, but future broader studies They could provide the answer.
Professor Lina Zgaga, Associated Professor of Epidemiology of Trinity College Faculty and Principal Investigator of the Study, has highlighted that the study "adds more evidence that vitamin D could protect against severe infection by COVID-19. Carry out a controlled and randomized trial of vitamin D supplements for COVID-19 that is well designed. Until then, given that vitamin D supplements are safe and cheap, it is definitely advisable to take supplements and protect against the Vitamin D deficiency, especially with winter on the horizon, pointing.
For its part, Professor Evropi Theodoratou, Cancer Epidemiology and Global Health Professor at Edinburgh University and Principal Investigator of the Study, recalls that, "given the lack of highly effective therapies against Covid-19, we believe it is important to maintain The mind open to the results that arise from rigorously performed studies on vitamin D ".
Finally, Dr. Xue Li, research researcher at the University of Zhejiang, "The study supports the recommendation of vitamin D supplementation not only for the maintenance of bone and muscle health during blockade, but also for possible Benefits in relation to protection against COVID-19 ".
Date Of Update: 21 September 2021, 18:42
