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.
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The study was published in the research journal PLOS One, on February 3.
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According to scientists, about half of people who were vitamin D deficient prior to contracting COVID-19 developed severe illness.
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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.
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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.
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Business Insider cautions that the study doesn't prove that vitamin D offers protection from COVID and is not a replacement for vaccination.
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The study's authors caution that vitamin D is "one piece of a complex puzzle.".
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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'
