Among the buzz in COVID-19 talk:

Vitamin D levels as a potential indicator of who’s at risk of developing more serious complications from the disease.

A variety of medical experts have noted that research shows high rates of vitamin D deficiency in people with severe COVID-19 infections. People with low vitamin D levels may be more susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections. According to Harvard Health Publishing, vitamin D may protect against COVID-19 in two ways:

Helping to boost our bodies’ natural defense against viruses and bacteria and potentially preventing an exaggerated inflammatory response.

A study published in Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reported that more than 80 percent of 200 COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Spain had vitamin D deficiency. Men had lower levels than women. And the Mayo Clinic reported that other research observed high rates of vitamin D deficiency in people with COVID-19 who experienced acute respiratory failure.

Researchers are exploring the effectiveness of giving high doses of vitamin D to people hospitalized with COVID-19, but thus far have seen mixed results. The Mayo Clinic article said there isn’t enough data to recommend use of vitamin D to prevent infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 or to treat COVID-19, according to the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

Still, every little bit helps. If you suspect or know you have a vitamin D deficiency, experts recommend checking with your doctor about whether a supplement is a good idea.

As we deal with the uncertainty, we appreciate your understanding and hope at the very least that times like these remind us that we are all in this together.

​We hope to see your healthy, happy faces soon!