TY - JOUR
T1 - Covid-19 pandemic and vitamin d deficiency
T2 - A different approach with an analysis of the findings and a complimentary proposal
AU - Martín Giménez, Virna M.
AU - Bergam, Ivana
AU - Inserra, Felipe
AU - Ferder, León
AU - Reiter, Russel J.
AU - Manucha, Walter
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants from the Research and Technology Council of Cuyo University (SECyT), Mendoza, Argentina, and from National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation ANPCyT FONCyT (Grant no. PICT 2016-4541).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018-2021, Rangsit University.
PY - 2021/1/1
Y1 - 2021/1/1
N2 - Vitamin D is an essential immune-modulator with receptors widely distributed throughout the body, and its serum levels fluctuate significantly in individuals between winter and summer months. This study examines the association between low vitamin D status and prevalence of COVID-19 cases around the world and proposes a relationship with the seasonal character of the human immune system strength rather than to the seasonal infectivity of viruses. Also, this review suggests that the observed geographical disparities in COVID-19 cases are due to differences in vitamin D levels. On the international scale, serum vitamin D levels are reportedly lowest in China, the Middle East, and South Europe; these populations also had the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 cases. In addition to the geographical differences in vitamin D status, there are known risk groups (ethnic, age-related, pregnancies). In contrast, some countries including Canada, Finland, and North Europe incorporate increased amounts of vitamin D through fortified foods, vitamin D supplements, and sunbathing. These countries show the lowest morbidity and mortality rates by COVID-19 infection and demonstrate that lower ambient temperatures do not contribute to a higher number of COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 has spread around the globe almost simultaneously in both warm and cold areas. Given this information, vitamin D measurement should become an essential component of public health monitoring as a biomarker of immunity status. Clinical trials should be conducted to confirm this hypothesis. COVID-19 tests should be performed together with vitamin D status tests to verify this proposed relationship.
AB - Vitamin D is an essential immune-modulator with receptors widely distributed throughout the body, and its serum levels fluctuate significantly in individuals between winter and summer months. This study examines the association between low vitamin D status and prevalence of COVID-19 cases around the world and proposes a relationship with the seasonal character of the human immune system strength rather than to the seasonal infectivity of viruses. Also, this review suggests that the observed geographical disparities in COVID-19 cases are due to differences in vitamin D levels. On the international scale, serum vitamin D levels are reportedly lowest in China, the Middle East, and South Europe; these populations also had the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 cases. In addition to the geographical differences in vitamin D status, there are known risk groups (ethnic, age-related, pregnancies). In contrast, some countries including Canada, Finland, and North Europe incorporate increased amounts of vitamin D through fortified foods, vitamin D supplements, and sunbathing. These countries show the lowest morbidity and mortality rates by COVID-19 infection and demonstrate that lower ambient temperatures do not contribute to a higher number of COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 has spread around the globe almost simultaneously in both warm and cold areas. Given this information, vitamin D measurement should become an essential component of public health monitoring as a biomarker of immunity status. Clinical trials should be conducted to confirm this hypothesis. COVID-19 tests should be performed together with vitamin D status tests to verify this proposed relationship.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Geographical differences
KW - Seasonal immune system
KW - Vitamin D deficiency
KW - Vitamin D status
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U2 - 10.14456/jcst.2021.16
DO - 10.14456/jcst.2021.16
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85100854723
SN - 2630-0583
VL - 11
SP - 148
EP - 157
JO - Journal of Current Science and Technology
JF - Journal of Current Science and Technology
IS - 1
ER -