British doctors have found that vitamin D deficiency can cause more severe COVID-19. This was reported by the Express newspaper.
A group of doctors conducted a study of the statistics of infection and mortality from coronavirus and identified a link between the severity of the course of COVID-19 and latitude. It turned out that in regions where seasonal vitamin D deficiency is widespread, cases of a severe course of the disease are more often detected.
At the same time, according to Dr. Gareth Davies (Gareth Davies), for a full study requires a full year of study. However, the coronavirus pandemic began less than 365 years ago.
The author of the study emphasized the importance of vitamin D for immunity and noted that it can protect the body from the penetration of coronavirus. “The virus targets a protein spike on the surface of cells called ACE2, which is part of the renin-angiotensin system,” the specialist explained.
Davis also stated that the replicating coronavirus could deplete the ACE2 protein, causing a “cytokine storm.” “This is what kills people,” he said.
Earlier, the head of the Consultative and Diagnostic Center “Healthy and Sports Nutrition”, nutritionist Ekaterina Burlyaeva said that foods with a large amount of vitamins and minerals will help strengthen the immune system and protect against coronavirus. According to her, vitamins A, C, D, E, B2, B6 and B12, folic acid, zinc, selenium, iron will be useful in the prevention of COVID-19. Vitamin D supports the production of specific antimicrobial proteins in the respiratory epithelium. Its deficiency increases the risk of respiratory infections.
