How Vitamin D Could Help Fight Coronavirus.
0:00 Introduction
Vitamin D is a very important type of nutrient present especially, in foods of animal origin such as eggs, meat or fish, which when it is at adequate levels is essential to prevent the emergence of various types of chronic and infectious diseases, including heart problems, osteoporosis, diabetes and even some types of cancer.
According to a review conducted in the United States in early 2020, optimal levels of vitamin D also appear to strengthen immunity, and prevent the development of various respiratory infections, including influenza infection, in addition to lessen the chances of more serious complications like pneumonia.
Based on this type of scientific reviews, which prove the effect of vitamin D on the immune system, two researchers from the University of Turin, in Italy, suggest that studies be carried out on patients with the new coronavirus (COVID- 19), to understand if it can also help reduce the intensity of complications of this infection.
It is important to emphasize that vitamin D levels tend to decrease with age, being lower in older people, who are the main risk group for the appearance of complications related to COVID-19, so vitamin D supplementation or maintaining adequate blood levels can be a way to protect this risk group.
1:10 How Vitamin D Protects Against Viruses
According to a review carried out in the United States, vitamin D is able to protect against various viruses through 3 different mechanisms:
1. Creation of a physical barrier: the vitamin helps to maintain the union between cells, creating a barrier that makes it difficult for various types of viruses to enter the body;
2. Increased natural immunity of cells: Vitamin D increases the action of antimicrobial peptides, which are substances that are present inside cells, and that kill different bacteria, viruses and fungi;
3. Decreased inflammation of the body: Vitamin D is able to reduce the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, which are substances that stimulate inflammation in the body, and hinder the work of the immune system.
Due to these mechanisms, vitamin D, when in ideal doses, may be able to protect against the new coronavirus or at least reduce its viral load, reducing the severity of the infection and preventing the appearance of serious complications, such as pneumonia.
Furthermore, vitamin D levels tend to decrease with age, being lower in the elderly, who are the main risk group for the appearance of complications related to COVID-19.
2:25 What are the ideal levels of vitamin D
There is still no consensus among the different societies on what the ideal level of vitamin D should be, however, according to the authors of the review conducted in the United States, the concentration of vitamin D in adults, should be above 30 ng / mL.
To check the levels of vitamin D in the body, a specific blood test must be carried out, which evaluates the amount of this vitamin in the blood, and must be ordered by the doctor.
2:52 How to increase vitamin D levels?
One of the main sources of vitamin D is the production that occurs in the skin, which is greater when there is exposure to UVB rays. However, this type of vitamin can also be obtained in food or through supplements.
The most widely used ways to increase vitamin D levels are:
• Sunbathing for 20 to 30 minutes, without sunscreen, during less heat, that is, before 10 in the morning or after 3 in the afternoon.
• Increase consumption of foods rich in vitamin D, such as cooked salmon, oysters, cooked eggs, or sardines.
• Take vitamin D supplements.
However, the use of supplements should be carried out under medical guidance, since the doses and duration of treatment vary according to the age and degree of vitamin deficiency in the blood. Consuming too much vitamin D can cause hypervitaminosis.
So now you know importance of vitamin D Could Help Fight Coronavirus Make sure to start a healthy diet routine and add more vegetables to you your diet.
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