In February, when Covid-19 had not yet hit Malta, I had published an article on Vitamin D see here. Eight months on we have learnt a lot more on how important this Vitamin is for a healthy immune system.
A quick look at how we obtain Vitamin D
Few are the foods that are rich in Vitamin D and we would need to eat large quantities to get the daily amount. Referred to as the sunshine vitamin, we can also absorb this vitamin with the help of UVB rays directly hitting our skin.
Why do we need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is important for muscle function, the formation of healthy teeth and bones, preventing rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. It helps to fight off infections, with some evidence showing it is especially good to ward off the common cold and flu.
Who should take a Vitamin D supplement?
Vitamin D is especially important for those who spend most of their time indoors such as the elderly in care homes. This pandemic has kept many of us indoors and with numbers growing and winter on the way we are bound to increase time indoors. Thus many health practitioners are now recommending that we all should be supplementing with Vitamin D.
Trials such as the one done at the Reina Sofia University Hospital, Spain give promising results. This should not stop anyone from being extra careful. Vitamin D alone will not prevent us catching covid-19 and passing it on to others.
Remember the drill: Wash hands frequently, wear a mask, keep your distance, avoid crowded places, isolate if infected, quarantine if necessary. Eating a healthy diet, fresh air and taking a Vitamin D supplement should also be on the to do list.
For my preferred Vitamin D supplements click here for Nature’s Aid and Better You.
Photos credit: Daria Shevtsova and Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
