Vitamin D.
Business Insider reports that a new study out of Israel suggests that having sufficient levels of vitamin D may significantly reduce the chances of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. .
The study was published in the research journal PLOS One, on February 3. .
According to scientists, about half of people who were vitamin D deficient prior to contracting COVID-19 developed severe illness. .
Comparatively, less than 10% of people with sufficient levels of the vitamin experienced severe symptoms. .
According to the study's authors, this is the first study to look into vitamin D levels in people prior to contracting COVID-19. .
We found it remarkable, and striking,
to see the difference in the chances
of becoming a severe patient
when you are lacking in vitamin D
compared to when you're not, Dr. Amiel Dror, a study author and physician at
the Galilee Medical Center, via 'The Times of Israel'.
According to Dror, sufficient levels of vitamin D helped to boost the immune system's ability to combat viruses that attack the respiratory system. .
Business Insider cautions that the study doesn't prove that vitamin D offers protection from COVID and is not a replacement for vaccination. .
The study's authors caution that vitamin D is "one piece of a complex puzzle.".
"," they said. .
Our study warrants further studies investigating if and when vitamin D supplementation among vitamin D deficient individuals in the community impacts the outcome of an eventual COVID-19 episode, Dr. Amiel Dror, a study author and physician at
the Galilee Medical Center, via 'The Times of Israel'