Richard E. Cytowic M.D., PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
A recent study by Israeli scientists found “striking” differences in the chances of contracting severe COVID-19 illness between individuals with sufficient levels of vitamin D prior to catching the virus and those who did not.
Half the vitamin-deficient people developed severe, life-threatening illness compared to fewer than 10 percent of those who had normal levels.
The study is the first to examine existing vitamin levels in people before they contracted COVID.
“We found it remarkable, and striking,” said the lead author, “to see the difference in the chances of becoming a severe patient when you are lacking in vitamin D compared to when you’re not.”
The data come from 253 people who were admitted to a hospital between April 7, 2020 and February 4, 2021—a period of time before the highly-infectious Omicron variant appeared.
The results, however, are “equally relevant” for Omicron as for previous strains, say the study authors.
Vitamin D is naturally synthesized in human skin and requires direct exposure to sunlight (specifically, UV-B). Artificial light, no matter how bright, doesn’t cut it.
Given how the pandemic has kept many people primarily indoors for over two years, it is easy to see how a considerable number of individuals might have fallen below the threshold for adequate vitamin levels—which conventionally is at least 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood.
New data, however, indicate that even this is too low.
A minimum level of 50 nanograms per milliliter is now advised … READ MORE.
