The importance of
How Vitamin D levels in the body determine the length of your life:
The Endocrine Society defines vitamin D deficiency as a blood level of fewer than 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL), while vitamin D insufficiency is 21 to 29 ng/mL. Optimal levels are 30 to 100 ng/mL.
The last 25(OH)D level in the previous 12 months was categorized as “deficient” if less than 25 nmol/L and “insufficient” if 25 to 50 nmol/L. The researchers found evidence that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. It advised that widespread measurement of serum 25(OH)D and treatment of insufficiency or deficiency may reduce this risk.
Another study found that patients with low vitamin D levels who are hospitalised for COVID-19 may have a lower risk of dying or requiring mechanical ventilation if they receive vitamin D supplementation of at least 1,000 units weekly.
How
- Everyone was divided into three groups.
- People in group A were not treated, and their blood levels remained below 20 ng/mL.
- Those in group B received vitamin D supplements that raised their levels into the range of 21 to 29 ng/mL.
- Those in group C took enough supplements to raise their levels to 30 ng/mL or higher.
The researchers found the risk of heart attack was lower in group C than in both of the other groups. However, people in groups B and C (who all took supplements) had a lower risk of death from any cause than those in group A, who remained deficient in vitamin D.
Conclusion of the study: Low blood levels of vitamin D directly affects cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. If you wish to live longer and healthier, ensure that your levels of Vitamin D in the blood are optimal.
How to treat Vitamin D deficiency:
Thankfully, this is one vitamin the deficiency of which can be easily fixed. You can either increase your sun exposure or add more vitamin-D-rich foods to your diets, such as fatty fish or fortified dairy products. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend taking a vitamin D supplement. But never self-dose on this vitamin.