Coronavirus cases have taken an even more disheartening turn after it was announced a 13-day-old baby has died from COVID-19. The baby had no underlying health conditions and has caused even more confusion amongst medical professionals regarding the deadly virus. In a new study, nearly 99 percent of COVID-19 patients who lack vitamin D have lost their lives. Why?
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Indonesian researchers have analysed hospital records of 780 people who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The results of the research have indicated that patients who lack the so-called “sunshine vitamin” have a much higher risk of death.
The results revealed 98.9 percent of infected patients who suffer with a vitamin D deficiency lost their lives to COVID-19.
This comes as health chiefs have urgently reviewed the use of vitamin D as a coronavirus lifesaver with other studies suggesting the power of vitamin D for the current pandemic.
What the experts say
Dr Simran Deo at UK-based online doctor at Zava UK said vitamin D is essential for the human body to work as it should – it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body – nutrients which are needed for healthy teeth, bones and muscles.
He added: “As well as this, vitamin D helps our muscles to stay healthy and in good working order.
“The immune system also uses it to fight off bacteria and viruses, helping us to stay healthy.
“It’s possible that there’s an indirect link between vitamin D and COVID-19.
“Vitamin D improves the function of the immune system and supplements are advocated in enhancing the resistance to respiratory infections.
“As COVID-19 is a respiratory illness it may limit the severity of the illness for those who become infected.
“Vitamin D supplements are generally advised to be taken regularly by the population as a whole in the UK as we don’t get enough sun, particularly at the moment when we’re supposed to limit our time outside of our homes.”
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One study which was carried out by Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge found European countries with lower vitamin D levels have had significantly more pandemic casualties than their counterparts.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently looking into this hypothesis and their review is expected to be published as early as next week.
It’s been revealed that one in five British adults and one in six children suffer with a vitamin D deficiency.
Experts also estimate that around one billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamin D with the current figures being described as a global public health issue.
To ensure your vitamin D levels are up to scratch beyond being outdoors, Dr Deo suggests making sure your vitamin D levels are high enough by eating foods that are rich in it.
He advised: “These include cheese, oily fish like mackerel, salmon and tuna, beef liver and egg yolks.
“However, it’s worth noting that not much vitamin D comes from food we eat, unless we include food in our diet that has been fortified.
“Sunlight or supplements remain the most effective means of taking on vitamin D.”
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