This study investigated the role of vitamin D in the severity of COVID-19 and the risk of long-term COVID-19 infection. Many studies have shown that low vitamin D levels increase the risk of developing a more severe infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some have suggested that treatment with vitamin D may speed recovery and reduce the risk of developing long-term COVID-19 infection.
This is supported by research into the use of metformin during acute COVID-19 infection to reduce the chance of developing long-term COVID-19 infection. This protective physiology is thought to be due to metformin’s effect on vitamin D receptors, suggesting that increasing vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of developing Long COVID. A randomized controlled trial will tell whether it really helps if you have a long-term coronavirus infection.
Many of the world’s populations, especially Scandinavians, Americans, and people in the Middle East, are deficient in vitamin D. And studies of vitamin D in the treatment of COVID-19 show that people with deficiency are most likely to benefit from vitamin D. Replenishment. So should we all take vitamin D just in case we get coronavirus? Maybe.
Getting the right amount of vitamin D has many benefits for your bones and muscles. It has many other important benefits, and there is good research showing that consuming sufficient amounts is important for overall health. Fortunately, there is a free source of vitamin D: the sun. Most people can get all the vitamin D they need from just 5 to 30 minutes of sunlight most days of the week. If, like me, you’re concerned about your skin aging, apply sunscreen on your face but leave your arms and legs exposed. You can take your normal dose. After sunbathing, you can apply sunscreen everywhere. As with everything in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. For most adults who don’t have access to sunlight, taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily is sufficient.
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