Vitamin D Supplementation Could Potentially Reduce Risk of COVID-19 Infections and Deaths

Vitamin D has long been known to be a major regulator for both the endocrine and the immune system. With the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing interest in looking at the feasibility of using vitamin D as a preventative and therapeutic option in the management of the disease. A low serum level of vitamin D is linked to higher incidence of respiratory tract infection and disease progression. Vitamin D supplementation has proven to be effective in enhancing the immune system, strengthen lung epithelial barrier, and prevention of unchecked inflammatory response. Previous studies on the roles of vitamin D in managing influenza and other enveloped virus infection could shed light on the possible roles of vitamin D in the current pandemic. More randomised controlled trials are needed to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on COVID-19 infection.