In vitro studies or studies in animals have previously shown that in certain situations vitamin D and its metabolites have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and may regulate the immune response.
Rosa Pereira, a senior researcher at the University of São Paulo project, said: Paul’s School of Medicine (FM-USP).
Volunteers were randomly divided into two groups, one of which received vitamin D3 in a single dose of 200,000 units (IU) dissolved in a peanut oil solution.
The other groups were given only peanut oil solution.
All participants were treated according to standard protocols for hospital treatment of illness, including administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The main purpose was to see if acute supplements affected the length of stay in these patients, but researchers reduced the risk of hospitalization, intubation, and death in the intensive care unit (ICU). I also wanted to find out if I would.
No significant differences were observed between the groups for any of these clinical outcomes.
According to Pereira, this study was specifically designed to assess the impact on hospitalization and requires more volunteers to achieve scientifically acceptable estimates of its impact on mortality. Will be.
“So far, there are no signs of vitamin D being given to patients who come to the hospital with severe Covid-19,” she said.
Pereira is currently leading a study to determine whether subjects with adequate circulating levels of vitamin D are more likely to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection than subjects with inadequate nutrient levels.
The ideal level of vitamin D in the blood and the daily supplement dose depend on age and overall health, she explained.
“The ideal approach is a case-by-case analysis, where blood tests regularly administer the substance as needed to supplement any deficiencies detected,” Pereira said.