Quick Take
A video on social media claims eating vitamin D can reduce the risk of Covid infection. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
A YouTube video claims that vitamin D supplements can reduce the risk of admission to intensive care during the coronavirus pandemic.
The video has received 1.2M views till we last checked.
Fact Check
Does eating vitamin D protect you from Covid infection?
There is currently limited evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may help protect against severe outcomes of COVID-19.
Vitamin D is essential for overall health, and a deficiency can lead to the risk of several health problems, including Covid infection. However, it is not a cure for COVID-19 and should not be relied on as a sole means of protection against the virus. It’s important to note that while some studies have shown an association between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of severe COVID-19, more research is needed to determine a cause-and-effect relationship.
Even the research paper titled ‘Protective Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19-Related Intensive Care Hospitalization and Mortality: Definitive Evidence from Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis’ as talked about in the YouTube video only speculates about the protective role of vitamin D against Covid infection.
To this Nutritionist Kamna Chauhan adds, “Eating vitamin D will not completely protect you from covid infection but it may reduce the complication and prevent death in those who are infected. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which is produced by exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet B rays in sun activate protein in skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol which then metabolize to active form of vitamin D. Vitamin plays an important role in promoting immune response. It has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Besides this, it is also known to enhance function of immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages.”
Same has been confirmed by Dr Kashyap Dakshini, General Physician practicing in Mumbai. He informed, “There have been conclusive reports of various meta-analyses and trial sequential analysis proving that bolus supplementation of Vitamin D can reduce the severity of COVID-19 infection. Its consumption can reduce ICU stay and mortality in elderly patients.”
Even if vitamin D might have a curative effect against COVID infection, we need more research on optimal dose acceptable for human consumption.
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