Long COVID is a chronic condition by which the symptoms of the disease persist for greater than 12 weeks. The condition is characterised by a spectrum of around 200 symptoms which have a detrimental effect on various organs and bodily functions.

In a recent study, experts examined patients hospitalized for COVID-19, but didn’t require intensive care. The study highlighted that the patients with long COVID had significantly lower levels of vitamin D of their systems, especially those that had “brain fog.”

Researchers are due to this fact imploring patients to take vitamin D supplements to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, based on Neurosciences.com.

The research, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism, was only a groundwork for understanding the merits of vitamin D in battling COVID-19 symptoms. More research shall be required to achieve a conclusion, said the researchers.

The study also noted relying solely on supplements was not sufficient.

The research involved 100 patients aged 51-70 years–some with long COVID and a few without. Their vitamin D levels were measured after they were being hospitalized. In long COVID-19 patients, lower vitamin D levels were found on the time of discharge in comparison with those without the condition.

And the degrees were alarmingly low in those that had the “brain fog” symptoms comparable to confusion, forgetfulness, and poor concentration, on the six-month follow-up.

Notably, the researchers made sure the patients did not have any bone conditions, a majority of which could be tied to vitamin D deficiency. The researchers ensured the 2 groups were aligned with one another by way of age, sex, pre-existing chronic diseases, and the severity of their COVID-19 cases.

“Previous studies on the role of vitamin D in long COVID weren’t conclusive mainly as a result of many confounding aspects,” said study lead investigator Professor Andrea Giustina. “The highly-controlled nature of our study helps us higher understand the role of vitamin D deficiency in long COVID, and establish that there may be likely a link between vitamin D deficiency and long COVID.”

“Our study shows that COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D levels usually tend to develop long COVID however it will not be yet known whether vitamin D supplements could improve the symptoms or reduce this risk altogether.”

The study, presented on the twenty fifth European Congress of Endocrinology in Istanbul, suggested people must check their vitamin D levels after COVID-19.

Supplements can assist you make up for any vitamin deficiency you could have.
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Published by Medicaldaily.com