Well, after studying global data from the novel coronavirus pandemic, researchers have now discovered a strong co-relation between severe Vitamin D deficiency and higher mortality rates. Led by Northwestern University, who also have a campus here in Doha, the research team conducted analysis of data from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The researchers noted that patients from countries with high Covid-19 mortality rates, such as Italy, Spain and UK, had lower levels of Vitamin D compared to patients in countries that were not as severely affected.
“Vitamin D will not prevent a patient from contracting the virus, but it may reduce complications and prevent death in those who are infected,” says Vadim Backman, the biomedical engineer.
Now to get a little technical. Science proves that Vitamin D modulates the response of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing too many inflammatory cytokines (these are a large group of proteins, peptides or glycoproteins that are secreted by specific cells of immune system). The Covid-19 virus is known to cause an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines — hence scientist started research on the possible links between the two.
In Europe, the highest average levels of Vitamin D is found in northern Europe, due to the consumption of cod liver oil and Vitamin D supplements, and possibly less sun avoidance. Scandinavian nations are among the countries with the lowest number of Covid-19 cases and mortality rates per head of population in Europe.
Living in a hot climate like Qatar, where the sun shines most days, you would expect our population’s Vitamin D levels to be normal. Research unfortunately suggests that that’s not the case. Insufficient levels are common, and appear more so in elderly, young adults, and children.
For Qataris, the nationality tend to be more deficient than other nationality groups as a result of our culture of covering up in traditional wear, such as thobes and abayas — preventing exposure to sunlight. Skin to the sun is the main source of the type of Vitamin D the body requires to work at its optimum. Yes, it’s important that we protect our skin from the sun in terms of too much exposure — this prevents skin ageing and helps it maintain its elasticity and complexion. However, we need Vitamin D levels from the sun, and should include 30 minutes of sun exposure — limbs and face — daily.
“It is hard to say which dose is most beneficial for Covid-19,” Backman said. “However, it is clear that Vitamin D deficiency is harmful, and it can be easily addressed with appropriate supplementation. This might be another key to helping protect vulnerable populations, and elderly patients, who have a prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.”
While supplements containing Vitamin C and D and other micronutrients are a safe, effective and low-cost means of helping your immune system fight off Covid-19 and other acute respiratory tract diseases, here in Qatar you could instead be taking advantage of our warmer climate, and immense amount of sunlight, by rewarding our body with the 30-minutes a day it needs to strengthen our immune systems and provide healing to the body.
*The author is an expert in vegan wellbeing and health. Instagram handle: @Ghanim92
