Introduction
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic, and scientists are still searching for treatments and preventative measures. Recently, researchers have discovered that a certain vitamin may help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. This unexpected vitamin, vitamin D, has been found to have a positive effect on the immune system, and may help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. In this article, we will discuss the potential benefits of vitamin D for those suffering from COVID-19, and how to get enough of this important vitamin.
This Unexpected Vitamin May Help Weaken COVID Symptoms
As the world continues to grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic, researchers are looking for ways to help reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. One unexpected vitamin may be the answer: vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. It is also produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D may play a role in reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. A study published in the journal Nutrients found that people with higher levels of vitamin D were less likely to experience severe symptoms of COVID-19.
The study also found that people with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to require hospitalization and intensive care. This suggests that vitamin D may be an important factor in reducing the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.
Vitamin D is important for many bodily functions, including the absorption of calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. It also helps regulate the immune system and may play a role in reducing inflammation.
The best way to get vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight. However, if you are unable to get enough sunlight, you can also get vitamin D from certain foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods. You can also take a vitamin D supplement.
If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if you need to take a supplement or make dietary changes to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D.
By this level, a number of revealed analysis papers and medical trials have proven that nutritional vitamins D and C, in addition to minerals resembling zinc and magnesium, could scale back the severity of signs in COVID-19 sufferers. Now, one researcher is looking on scientists to discover one other useful vitamin that will have been ignored.
In an opinion article revealed within the journal Frontiers in Vitamin, Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee, an assistant professor at Hiroshima College in Japan, proposed that vitamin B6 may play a pivotal position in preventing the novel coronavirus. (Associated: The One Vitamin Medical doctors Are Urging Everybody to Take Proper Now.)
“There may be rising proof that vitamin B6 exerts a protecting impact towards continual illnesses resembling cardiovascular illnesses (CVD) and diabetes by suppressing irritation, inflammasomes, oxidative stress, and carbonyl stress,” the article reads. “Moreover, vitamin B6 deficiency is related to decrease immune operate and better susceptibility to viral an infection.”
Nonetheless, some well being specialists stay suspicious—and for good motive. Ali Webster, PhD, RD, and director of analysis and diet communications on the Worldwide Meals Info Council, says it is nonetheless too quickly to find out whether or not or not the vitamin may assist decrease your threat of experiencing opposed COVID-19 signs.
“There are believable organic mechanisms for it doing so, and low ranges of B6 within the physique are related to a weakened immune system,” she says. “However typically, the promise of a constructive affect is there however the consequence of well-designed research is disappointing.”
Webster explains that the analysis on taking vitamin B6 in complement type to scale back the danger for coronary heart illness, stroke, sure sorts of most cancers, and even cognitive decline is a bit inconclusive, as effectively.
“Extra analysis is required in every of those areas along with the work to find out its impact on COVID-19 severity,” she provides.
Brittany Busse, MD, affiliate medical director at WorkCare, agrees that extra analysis is required. Nonetheless, Busse notes that vitamin B6 is thought to have an anti-inflammatory impact on the physique, which may provide help to in each stopping and combating opposed COVID-19 signs.
“There are loads of nutritional vitamins that may assist lower irritation, probably,” she says. “And B6 is one in all them.”
Busse additionally provides that the severity of COVID-19 relies largely on how a lot irritation your physique creates in response to the virus. Thus, it is key to maintain irritation ranges low by consuming a food plan that is wealthy in fruits, greens, and legumes; partaking in common, reasonable train; getting loads of sleep; and managing stress.
“In an excellent, regular state of well being, we might need to have as little irritation in our our bodies as doable earlier than turning into contaminated with COVID,” she says. “Then, we do what we are able to when you turn into sick to try to scale back your physique’s over-reactiveness to the virus.”
Just like nutritional vitamins D and Ok, Busse says vitamin B6 could function as an anti-inflammatory mechanism towards the cytokine storm—which stokes irritation—that happens upon an infection. Having an excellent baseline stage of vitamin B6, along with nutritional vitamins C, D, Ok, and minerals resembling zinc and magnesium, may in the end be actually useful must you get the virus.
Till extra analysis is performed—and earlier than you go and buy a vitamin B6 complement—it might be simpler to show to meals to be sure you’re getting sufficient of the vitamin. Present in animal protein like beef and poultry, in addition to plant-based sources like potatoes and even fortified cereals, vitamin B6 aids the physique in protein metabolism along with supporting cognitive growth and immune operate, Webster says.
If you are going to take a vitamin B6 complement, Busse says it is best to solely take the advisable quantity. Overdosing on the vitamin may result in dangerous well being outcomes.
“Give attention to food plan first,” she says. “For those who’re having an excellent well-balanced food plan, your physique absorbs nutritional vitamins and minerals higher.”
For extra, make sure to try 5 Grocery Retailer Gadgets That Assist You Fight COVID.