Hospitalizations have dropped by 63%: researchers have discovered a new method to combat COVID-19.

A recent meta-analysis by researchers has shed light on the role of vitamin D supplements in the treatment of COVID-19, although their effectiveness remains a subject of debate. This study, which examined 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight analytical studies, aimed to determine whether vitamin D intake could reduce the severity of COVID-19 by evaluating various health indicators, including mortality, ICU admissions, intubation rates, and hospital stay duration, as reported by News Medical.

Vitamin D, widely recognized for its essential role in bone health, also influences broader physiological processes due to its ability to regulate nearly 4% of human genes, which in turn affect immune function, muscle health, and cardiovascular system performance. The presence of vitamin D receptors in all nucleated cells has led scientists to hypothesize that supplementation may mitigate the severe inflammatory responses observed in COVID-19, particularly in severe cases.

Their comprehensive analysis, published in the journal Nutrients, revealed varying outcomes across different health indicators. In the case of ICU admissions, higher doses of vitamin D demonstrated a stronger protective effect in RCTs, reducing the number of admissions by 63% compared to lower doses. Depending on the age of the patients, those aged 65 and older saw a 57% reduction in ICU admissions, while patients under 65 experienced a 44% decrease.

However, the intervention did not provide as much benefit to severely ill patients as it did to those with milder forms of the disease, who were 33% less likely to be admitted to the ICU when taking vitamin D. The analysis also examined the impact of vitamin D on intubation and mortality rates. The need for intubation in RCTs decreased by 50%, suggesting a potential protective role of vitamin D in preventing respiratory deterioration, according to the authors.

Nevertheless, in the analytical studies, this effect was less apparent, possibly due to a focus on mild cases and elderly patients, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Mortality data were mixed: in analytical studies, the group receiving vitamin D reduced their mortality rate by 55%, which researchers believe may indicate bias. However, RCT data broken down by age indicate a 42% reduction in mortality among older adults, highlighting a potential age advantage.

The effect of reduced mortality was more pronounced earlier in the pandemic, up to May 2020, suggesting that the timing of vitamin D intervention may also influence outcomes. Hospital stay duration also showed a slight reduction. Among mild cases of COVID-19, vitamin D supplementation shortened hospital stays by nearly one day, indicating that an early and adequate level of vitamin D may facilitate faster recovery for patients with milder symptoms.

In the reviewed studies, researchers used various forms of vitamin D, primarily cholecalciferol and calcifediol, with differences in dosage, duration of intake, and baseline vitamin D levels in patients, which likely affected the results. Active vitamin D is thought to be rapidly depleted during severe infections, which may explain its limited effectiveness in severely ill patients in this meta-analysis. Overall, the study suggests potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in reducing ICU admissions, mortality, and intubation rates among COVID-19 patients, particularly among older individuals and those with less severe illnesses.

However, as researchers emphasize, larger and more standardized trials are needed to determine the optimal dosage, timing, and influence of baseline vitamin D status. The results advocate for a more personalized approach, especially in high-risk populations, while clearly highlighting that vitamin D is not a solution but a possible adjunct to other COVID-19 treatment methods.

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