Scientists have found an association between low average levels of vitamin D, and high numbers of COVID19 cases and mortality rates across 20 European countries, and call for dedicated studies to probe into the relationship.
Based on earlier studies, the researchers, including LeeSmith of Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, said there is an associationbetween low levels of vitamin D and susceptibility to acute respiratory tractinfections.
In the current research, they said vitamin D modulates theresponse of white blood cells, preventing them from releasing too manyinflammatory molecules called cytokines which are produced in excess inpatients with severe COVID19.
Italy and Spain have both experienced high COVID-19mortality rates, and according to the new study, both countries have loweraverage vitamin D levels than most northern European countries.
They said this is partly because people in southern Europe,particularly the elderly, avoid strong sun, while skin pigmentation alsoreduces natural vitamin D synthesis.
The highest average levels of vitamin D are found innorthern Europe, due to the consumption of cod liver oil, and vitamin Dsupplements, and possibly less sun avoidance, the researchers said.
They said Scandinavian nations are among the countries withthe lowest number of COVID19 cases and mortality rates per head of populationin Europe.”We found a significant crude relationshipbetween average vitamin D levels and the number COVID19 cases, and particularlyCOVID19 mortality rates, per head of population across the 20 Europeancountries,” Lee Smith, study co-author from Anglia Ruskin University,said.