COVID-19 Call to Action – eliminate Vitamin D deficiency – Manson Sept 1, 2020

Commentary. Eliminating vitamin D deficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic: A call to action

Metabolism, Volume 112, November 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154322
JoAnn E.Manson ab Shari S.Bassuk a

Lines of evidence that vitamin D deficiency is an important modifiable risk factor for COVID-19.

1. Laboratory studies: Vitamin D is important for immune function, modulates the inflammatory response to infection, and regulates the renin-angiotensin system.
2. Ecologic studies: Countries with lower average levels of 25(OH)D or lower solar ultraviolet-B radiation exposure have higher COVID-19 mortality.
3. Demographic groups known to be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency—Black individuals, the elderly, nursing-home residents, and those with obesity, vascular comorbidities, or chronic kidney disease—are also those at high risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and/or mortality.
4. Observational studies of individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2a: Low 25(OH)D levels are associated with a greater likelihood of testing positive for the virus.
5. Observational studies of COVID-19 patients: 25(OH)D levels correlate inversely with COVID-19 severity.
6. Observational studies (pre-COVID era): Low vitamin D status is associated with increased risk of acute respiratory tract infections.
7. Randomized clinical trials (pre-COVID era): Vitamin D supplementation decreases risk of respiratory tract infection, especially in those with low 25(OH)D levels.

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COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos as of July 29 includes

• 21 trials (generally treatment, not prevention), +10 observational studies, +7 recommendations,
• +34 associations, +58 speculations, +20 videos,

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