High-dose Vitamin D is not effective for COVID-19 patients 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Reddit
• Tumblr
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• RSS Feed
• Link

Latest study confirms that high-dose vitamin D is not effective for COVID-19 patients 

Latest study confirms that high-dose vitamin D is not effective for COVID-19 patients .  Some studies have found that vitamin D levels in the body are related to the progression of coronavirus disease, and vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of severe illness and death. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, claims about vitamin D have been controversial. Some studies have found that vitamin D levels in the body are related to the progression of new coronavirus disease. Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of severe illness and death. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation is recommended to prevent the occurrence of new coronavirus infections and severe illness. This also includes some professionals and medical experts.

But this statement has always been controversial, because there are also studies that have found no correlation between vitamin D and new coronavirus disease.

A recent study from Brazil seems to deny the effects of vitamin D.

This study was carried out by researchers at the Medical College of São Paulo, Brazil, and used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that used the gold standard to determine the efficacy of drugs. The research results were published in the latest “Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)”.

The trial started with 1,240 patients. In order to ensure the scientificity of the research results, they first excluded patients whose condition was very serious at the beginning of the trial, or who had become significantly less severe. The former represented patients in the ICU and the latter patients who were discharged within 24 hours after admission. Other patients who are not suitable for vitamin D use, such as some patients who have high blood calcium caused by tumor diseases, or who are already taking vitamin D supplements. In the end, 240 patients met the entry criteria for the trial.

Patients enrolled in the Brazilian trial (picture from JAMA)

For these enrolled patients, a large dose of vitamin D (vitamin D3 200,000 international units) was arranged in a random manner, or a placebo was used. Later, by observing and comparing the length of stay of the two groups of patients, the mortality rate, the number of people transferred to the ICU, and the proportion of using ventilators, to analyze whether supplementation of high-dose vitamin D has an impact on the evolution of the patient’s condition. In order to determine the reliability of vitamin D supplementation, the patients’ serum vitamin D levels were measured before and after use.

Changes in serum vitamin D levels in the test group and control group before and after vitamin D administration (picture from JAMA)

The test results showed that although the serum vitamin D level of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group, there were no significant differences in the length of hospitalization, mortality, and the proportion of transfer to ICU and use of ventilator.

There is no significant difference in the discharge rate between the experimental group and the control group, whether it is the overall patient (A) or the vitamin D deficiency (B) (picture from JAMA)

The results of this trial were a huge blow to vitamin D supporters, but the researchers also gave the limitations of the trial. Two of the most important ones: First, the proportion of vitamin D deficiency among trial participants is relatively low, which may be It is related to the region where Brazil is located (80% of Brazil’s land is in tropical regions, and the sun is sufficient), which makes the results of this test may not be suitable for people in high latitude areas; second, the administration time of vitamin D is after symptoms have appeared for several days After that, there was no mention of the preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on the COVID-19 infection. Therefore, this controversy may require further research.

Comment from MORE Health Editor: Vitamin D is an important trace element in the human body, which has important effects on bones, exercise and immunity. Daily diet should be supplemented, especially for people who lack outdoor activities. But this kind of importance is similar to water and air, there is nothing absolutely necessary, but it may not be able to cure and prevent diseases. To prevent and control infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 virus, it is ultimately necessary to rely on effective public health measures and vaccination.

(source:internet, reference only)

Disclaimer of medicaltrend.org

Important Note: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.