New research discovered a correlation between a higher risk of COVID-19 and being vitamin d deficient. 

According to Healthline, another study found that more than 80% of COVID-19 patients didn't have enough vitamin in their blood. In the new study of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers observed 216 COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Spain. The patients were matched to controls from another dataset by the scientists. 

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Hospital In El Centro, California Copes With Area's Rise In Coronavirus Infections EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) A nurse cares for a coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at El Centro Regional Medical Center in hard-hit Imperial County on July 28, 2020 in El Centro, California. Imperial County currently suffers from the highest mortality and near-highest infection rates from COVID-19 in California. The rural county, which is 85 percent Latino, borders Mexico and Arizona and endures high poverty rates and air pollution while also being medically underserved. In California, Latinos make up about 39 percent of the population but account for 55 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases amid the pandemic.

Among the observed patients, 82.2% were vitamin D deficient. Besides, the research showed that men had lower vitamin D levels than women. 

Aside from the correlation of the coronavirus and vitamin D levels, those people also had higher inflammatory markers, including D-dimer and ferritin. As per the NCBI, those patients were linked to poor coronavirus outcomes. 

Patients who are vitamin d deficient had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The study also revealed that they had stayed longer in hospitals for COVID-19. 

Dr. Hans Konrad Biesalski, a professor at the University of Hohenheim, has evaluated the coronavirus and vitamin D. Biesalski said that comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are associated low vitamin D levels.

"It looks like patients with a poor vitamin D status may have more severe COVID-19," Biesalski told Healthline. However, the latest study hasn't found that relationship.

How vitamin D may help recover from the coronavirus disease

In addition to the correlation between COVID-19 risk and vitamin D levels, people ask how it may protect them or help them recover from COVID-19. 

José L. Hernández, Ph.D., of the University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain, and a study co-author said that one approach is to treat and determine vitamin D deficiency, especially those high-risk such as nursing home residents, elderly, and patients with comorbidities, which are the main target population for the coronavirus. 

Dr.Jose added that high-risk people for COVID-19 such as the elderly, people in nursing homes, and those with underlying conditions could be treated with vitamin D. In a released statement of Science Daily, Hernandez Said that vitamin D treatment should be recommended in COVID-19 patients that are vitamin d deficient since this approach might be beneficial in both the immune system and musculoskeletal. 

Cureus' previous research showed many Americans are vitamin D deficient. Meanwhile, another study notes that vitamin d deficiency is a global health issue.  

According to Dr. Michael F. Holick leads the Bone Healthcare Clinic at Boston University. He researched vitamin D and said that Endocrine Society Practice Guidelines don't suggest everyone is screened.

In those who have other medical issues or those with fat malabsorption syndrome (obesity), it is enough to keep tabs on vitamin D levels, Holick told Healthline. On the other hand, infants should get anywhere from 400-1,000 IUs, children 600-1,000 IUs, and adults 600-2,000 IUs daily, the Endocrine Society recommends.

 The amount of vitamin D needed to take depends on a person's current vitamin d levels. However, obese adults may require 2-3 times more, noted Holick. 

Check these out:

Vitamin D May Help Treat COVID-19, New Research Shows

Fauci Says Take Vitamin D If You're Deficient. How to Know If You Are?

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