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 - 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
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100854723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85100854723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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 -