Studies Show Having More Sunlight Would Help Combat or Stave off COVID-19

What’s one thing we’re constantly told to do during this virus pandemic?

“Stay at home.”

And understandably so, there’s no point risking catching the virus if you don’t have to.

Though, recent studies have shown that maybe, just maybe, we might need the extra sunlight.

Sunlight VS Coronavirus

According to Straits Times, studies suggest that having adequate amounts of vitamin D may play a role in helping people stave off or combat the coronavirus.

The vitamin D you get from sunlight is known to boost the immune system, though you can also get it from eggs, liver and oily fish.

Though you may want to be careful of certain kinds of fish. 

Study Done Overseas

According to the medical journal JAMA Network Open on 3 Sept, around 489 patients from the University of Chicago Medicine health system were observed.

A third of them had vitamin D deficiency.

The study showed that when untreated, those with the deficiency were 1.77 times more likely to get COVID-19.

“The low costs of vitamin D and its general safety… support arguments for population-level supplementation, perhaps for targeting groups at high risk for vitamin D deficiency and/or Covid-19.”

Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Queen Mary University of London also came to a similar conclusion.

Vitamin D also protects us from some respiratory infections and enhances cardiovascular health.

Singapore’s also been upping their vitamin D knowledge game, too.

A local study analysed 43 Covid-19 patients aged 50 and above at Singapore General Hospital.

Treatment with vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin B12 saw lower numbers for people who eventually needed oxygen support or admission to intensive care.

Needs More Official Data

Don’t get overly excited just yet, however.

Dr Ben Ng, an endocrinologist from Arden Endocrinology Specialist Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, still feels more data is needed.

He says that the disease is still new and people likely lack vitamin D from not going out as much.

“I would encourage all patients who may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency to consider taking vitamin D replacement.”

Dr Ng recommends around 400 to 1000 units of vitamin D daily.

But there is also a flipside to this argument.

A consultant at the National University Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases, discourage anyone from taking supplemental vitamin D to prevent or treat Covid-19.

She warns that too much could leak to excessive calcium in the body.

“They can build up in the body and may cause side effects and toxic build-up. Always check with a doctor or dietitian before starting a vitamin D supplement.”

Still, she acknowledges that there is evidence that vitamin D does boost the immune system as well.

She ends off by saying you should check if you have a deficiency or not and judge if you need it.

Again, let us emphasise.

Don’t use this article as a basis to spam on vitamin D supplements or go body-surfing at Siloso Beach with a box jellyfish.

Whatever you want to do, it’ll be better to check with a doctor first.

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