The sunlight vitamin, vitamin D, is the only nutrient produced by the human skin through sunshine.
Studies found that patients with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than people with sufficient vitamin D levels, and their risk of contracting COVID-19 is 1.77 times higher.
At the same time, among COVID-19 patients hospitalized with acute respiratory failure, those with vitamin D deficiency had a significantly higher mortality rate.
Dr. Chiang Kunjung, vice president of Taoyuan Minsheng Hospital in Taiwan, pointed out that patients with vitamin D deficiency have a higher risk of COVID-19 infection and undesirable prognosis. In addition, many experts also shared that vitamin D levels and the human immune system are relative. Therefore, they encourage the public to get natural vitamin D through sunshine, if possible, or take vitamin D supplements to improve immunity.
Chiang said that when the coronavirus first broke out, the medical community was still unfamiliar with its symptoms. After a period of exploration, knowledge became increasingly available, providing an in-depth understanding of COVID-19. Therefore COVID-19 treatment plans became more effective.
The doctor explained: “Vitamin D is closely related to the function of respiratory mucosa. It regulates immunity and inhibits infections of COVID-19 and influenza.”
The reasons patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have serious complications are partly related to the immune system. Taking adequate vitamin D can enhance the immune system.
Many leading medical physicians have emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of vitamin D as a barrier to viral diseases.
According to a report published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society in 2012, vitamin D activates immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, which aid in eliminating bacteria and viruses in the human body. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency will impact the function of immune cells and increase the chance of infection by bacteria and viruses.
A Taiwan nutritionist and NCSF Sports Nutrition Specialist Donna Chen wrote: “Vitamin D promotes normal cellular differentiation and enhances the activity of phagocytes and T lymphocytes, also called T cells. Everyone should focus on diversifying and balancing their diets with sufficient vitamins and minerals.”
A 2017 report in the British Medical Journal highlighted that through combining clinical studies on vitamin D supplements, the results show that people with insufficient vitamin D have significantly reduced the risk of acute respiratory infection after adequate vitamin D intake.
Dietitian Dr. Lin Ruojun spoke about mucosa in an interview with TVBS. She said mucosa is the first immune defense line of the human body, which directly affects the probability of diseases. The primary COVID-19 infection is through droplet infection. If the mucosa is unsound, it will increase the risk of infection.
Who Is Prone to Vitamin D Deficiency?
These are some of the people who may be deficient in vitamin D:
- Pregnant women; If pregnant women do not absorb enough vitamin D, their unborn babies are also likely to have the same deficiency, as fetuses do not have the opportunity to bask in the sun.
- Patients with gastrointestinal diseases: People suffering from intestinal or digestive issues such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease are prone to lose vitamin D due to weak intestinal absorption.
- People with dark skin pigments: These people tend to have more melanin in the body to block ultraviolet rays. It reduces the ability to produce vitamin D in the body.
- People who work indoors for a prolonged period: Indoor workers are likely to have insufficient vitamin D because they do not spend enough time in sunlight.
- The elderly: Due to mobility difficulties and reduced outdoor time, the elderly tend to be low on vitamin D production.
How to Increase Vitamin D Intake
These are some of the ways to increase the vitamin D level in the body:
- Sunbathe: As human skin makes contact with sunlight, vitamin D is produced.
- Consume vitamin D-rich foods: Milk, egg yolk, animal internal organs, and deep-sea fish contain vitamin D3, while various types of grains, mushrooms, and soybeans contain vitamin D2.
- Take vitamin D supplements: If vitamin D cannot be synthesized by sunbathing or diet, it is recommended to take vitamin D supplements to maintain vitamin D balance in the body.
David Chu is a London-based journalist who has been working in the financial sector for almost 30 years in major cities in China and abroad, including South Korea, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. He was born in a family specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has a background in ancient Chinese literature.
