Vitamin D Dips Cytokine Storm And Significantly Reduces Mortality In COVID-19 Patients: Study

Vitamin D benefits COVID-19:  Vitamin D, which is also known as the "sunshine vitamin" has a number of proved benefits including keeping bones in the body healthy, reducing depression, improve metabolism, and protect the skin. However, a recent study claims that Vitamin D could be handy in improving clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

However, in a new study by PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh) doctors published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation titled, Vitamin D supplementation and clinical outcomes in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis, it has been concluded that taking Vitamin D supplements during coronavirus infection is beneficial in the treatment of the disease.

The study that has been done by R Pal, M Banerjee, SK Bhadada, AJ Shetty, B Singh and A Vyas collectively, pooled data from 13 studies and retrieved from 2,933 COVID-19 patients. The said study has shown that Vitamin D supplemented after the diagnosis of COVID-19 leads to improved clinical outcomes in terms of reduced mortality (number of deaths) and/or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission.

However, further research is needed regarding the appropriate dose, duration, and mode of administration of Vitamin D as issues regarding these subjects still remain unanswered. According to Professor Sanjay K Bhadada, who is the Head of the Endocrinology Department at PGI, and one of the co-authors of the study, high doses of Vitamin D, especially when injected to prevent COVID-19 should be strongly discouraged as it may lead to toxicity.

Here are the outcomes of the study:

1. After the diagnosis of COVID-19. the supplementation of Vitamin D can decrease the number of deaths and the need for admission to an ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

2. Vitamin D has helped in the better recovery of COVID-19 patients.

3. According to the study, Vitamin D can be used as an effective enhancing treatment in patients who are hospitalised with COVID.

4. However, more than the prescribed amount of standard dose of Vitamin D can lead to toxicity and must be avoided.

5. Other than an improvement in immunity the use of Vitamin D has also shown a drop in cytokine storm.

6. It is beneficial for a person because when cytokines (cells that are important in the development and regulation of immune system cells) that raise the immune activity become too abundant, the immune system may be unable to stop itself and start attacking healthy cells.