French doctors advise vitamin D to counter Covid this winter
Studies show links between vitamin D deficiency and serious forms of Covid-19. Doctors say winter supplements could help.
Health body the in France has advised that people take vitamin D supplements in order to reinforce their 鈥渋nnate immunity鈥� against Covid-19 this winter.
Studies have shown that vitamin D is effective in combatting illnesses that can affect the respiratory system, such as colds and flu. Ongoing studies are also investigating links between serious forms of Covid-19 and vitamin D deficiency.
In France, 41% of people have winter vitamin D deficiency.
Studies investigate link between vitamin D and Covid
A study published in the on October 27 found that 80% of 230 hospitalised Covid patients in Spain had a vitamin D deficiency, compared with 47% in the general population.
Authors of the study pointed out that their results showed vitamin D deficiency to be a common point between patients, rather than the cause for their illness.
beginning soon in the UK will provide 5,000 people with vitamin D treatments over 6 months to analyse how it affects their resistance to the virus in the winter months.
Vitamin D not a Covid 鈥渃ure鈥�
It is known that mortality in Covid-19 patients is linked to 鈥渃ytokine storms鈥� induced by the virus.
Earlier studies, such as this one published in in June, show that some Covid patients experience an over-reaction in their immune system, causing excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. These aggravate acute respiratory distress syndrome and tissue damage causing multi-organ failure and death.
The Acad茅mie Nationale de M茅dicine says increasing vitamin D uptake will not constitute 鈥渁 preventative treatment or a cure鈥� for extreme forms of Covid-19 such as these.
However, it could provide effective 鈥渟econdary鈥� support and boost 鈥渋nnate immunity鈥� among the wider population.
The has recommended that people up their vitamin D intake over winter since 2017, with children seeing particular benefits from the vitamin.
What are the sources of vitamin D?
Our skin produces vitamin D naturally when it comes into contact with sunlight. This means that in summer months, many people have a naturally high vitamin D intake.
In winter, there is generally not enough sunlight to support this method of vitamin D production in sufficient quantities, especially in cloudy areas.
We can access some vitamin D-rich food such as fish, cod liver oil, veal liver, cheese milk and some soy milk.
However, this is still unlikely to provide sufficient intake. As such, taking vitamin D supplements is now recommended.
The Acad茅mie Nationale de M茅dicine has specified that vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and can be reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie.
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