Fact vs. Fiction Vitamin D and COVID-19

You may have recently heard that vitamin D levels affect one’s susceptibility to and recovery from COVID-19. Current, retrospective analysis of vitamin D status in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection has shown that those with poor vitamin D status (<30 ng/ml 25(OH)D levels) experience more severe symptoms. In addition, some health care professionals tout that obesity, diabetes and unhealthy eating habits also increase the risk for contracting COVID-19 and the severity of symptoms.

Although this relationship has some merit, hold off on reaching for the vitamin D supplement as a savior. Vitamin D is a very important nutrient for immune function. But no single food, pill, powder, or habit surpasses current infection-prevention guidance, such as hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing, etc.

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