Low Vitamin D Linked to Increased COVID-19 Risk

Israeli researchers have found that low levels of Vitamin D in the blood are associated with an increased risk of Covid-19 infection. Vitamin D is a hormone, produced in the skin during exposure to sunlight, and helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

India has a large population suffering from vitamin D deficiency among the public irrespective of their location (urban or rural), age or gender, or whether they are poor or even rich. This is despite India being a tropical nation getting abundant sunshine, which is a precursor to Vitamin D formation in the body.

According to an analysis published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2017, the level of vitamin D in people from different states of India ranged between 3.15 nanogram/millilitre to 52.9 ng/ml, which was considerably lower than the needed level of 30-100 ng/ml.

According to data by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) over the last 50 years, the calcium levels in average Indian populations has plummeted from 700 units per day to 300-400.

About Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is naturally present in very few foods like fatty fish, and fish liver oils, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.

It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.

Vitamin D maintains adequate calcium and phosphate concentrations in blood. It prevents weakening of bones.

Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.