DURBAN - Researchers have found that there may be a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mortality rates from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A team led by researchers in
Northwestern University, United States, analyzed data from hospitals and clinics across China, France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to the study, patients from countries with high COVID-19 mortality rates had lower levels of Vitamin D when compared to patients from countries with lower mortality rates.
Furthermore, the team also found a relationship between vitamin D levels and cytokine storm. This is a hyper-inflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system.
A statement by the Northwestern University in Illinois uncovered a few findings regarding Cytokine. “Cytokine storm can severely damage lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death in patients," it read.
While evidence suggests that a lack of Vitamin D can prove harmful in the fight against the novel coronavirus, the scientists do not recommend an overload of vitamin D.
"While I think it is important for people to know that vitamin D deficiency might play a role in mortality, we don't need to push vitamin D on everybody," said lead researcher, Vadim Backman.
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