scholarly journals An Update on Preventive Outlook for Supplementation of Vitamin-D against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Saim Mohammad Saikat ◽  
Muhammad Torequl Islam
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Population ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
High Death Rate ◽  
High Death

The pandemic COVID-19 has a high death rate, which threatens nearly most of the world's population. The main reason for mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome is intensified inflammatory activity followed by oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions on the lungs. To date, this pathology does not have a clear and conclusive cure troubling the world population, particularly elderly adults who are the major risk groups. In this sense, assessing the effectiveness of current pharmacological agents, which can be used to resolve or attenuate this pulmonary complication's seriousness that has threatened the lives of so many people globally, is of particular importance. In contrast to quarantine, public health interventions are urgently needed, reducing the risk of illness and death. Evidence reveals that vitamin D supplementation may be possible in treating COVID-19. Additionally, numerous trials and studies started to study the effect of vitamin D supplementation on patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Establishing Benefit from Vitamin D Supplementation — Adherence to Defined Criteria and Targeting of High-Risk Groups Essential?

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 827-831
Author(s):  
Siobhán McGettigan ◽  
P. Mulkerrin ◽  
P. M. O’Shea ◽  
S. T. O’Keeffe ◽  
E. C. Mulkerrin
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation

scholarly journals Vitamin D supplementation as a rational pharmacological approach in the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (6) ◽  
pp. L941-L948 ◽  
Author(s):  
León Ferder ◽  
Virna Margarita Martín Giménez ◽  
Felipe Inserra ◽  
Carlos Tajer ◽  
Laura Antonietti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Therapeutic Measure ◽  
Oxidative Signaling

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached most of the countries worldwide causing death, which often results from an inflammatory storm associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This has prompted researchers to seek specific novel and definitive treatments urgently. In this context, it is interesting to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of existing pharmacological agents that could be useful. In this regard, vitamin D supplementation, particularly in individuals likely to be deficient, may be a promising option. Vitamin D is a hormone that modulates many of the same inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways triggered during COVID-19. For example, vitamin D suppresses the actions of the renin-angiotensin system, which has a determining role in the pathophysiology of the inflammatory response related to COVID-19. This paper analyzes the evidence that vitamin D supplementation might be a valuable preventive/therapeutic measure in groups at risk for or infected with COVID-19. It also discusses how clinical studies could be best designed to evaluate the possible advantages of vitamin D supplementation for the benefit of public health during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Solar ultraviolet B exposure and global variation in tuberculosis incidence: an ecological analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1601979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tjarda M. Boere ◽  
Douwe H. Visser ◽  
A. Marceline van Furth ◽  
Paul Lips ◽  
Frank G.J. Cobelens
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
National Level ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
Tuberculosis Incidence ◽  
Global Variation ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Solar Uv ◽  
Solar Ultraviolet

Epidemiological evidence supports vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for tuberculosis. Differences in solar ultraviolet B (UV-B) exposure, the major source of vitamin D, might therefore partially explain global variation in tuberculosis incidence.In a global country-based ecological study, we explored the correlation between vitamin D-proxies, such as solar UV-B exposure, and other relevant variables with tuberculosis incidence, averaged over the period 2004–2013.Across 154 countries, annual solar UV-B exposure was associated with tuberculosis incidence. Tuberculosis incidence in countries in the highest quartile of UV-B exposure was 78% (95% CI 57–88%, p<0.001) lower than that in countries in the lowest quartile, taking into account other vitamin D-proxies and covariates. Of the explained global variation in tuberculosis incidence, 6.3% could be attributed to variations in annual UV-B exposure. Exposure to UV-B had a similar, but weaker association with tuberculosis notification rates in the multilevel analysis with sub-national level data for large countries (highestversuslowest quartile 29% lower incidence; p=0.057).The potential preventive applications of vitamin D supplementation in high-risk groups for tuberculosis merits further investigation.

Seasonal variation of vitamin D levels in Swiss athletes

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin Supplementation ◽  
World Population ◽  
Outdoor Sports ◽  
Sunscreen Use ◽  
Vitamin D Levels

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is very prevalent in world population and growing evidence shows that also athletes are affected. Vitamin D deficiency causes beside bone disorders, musculoskeletal pain, muscle weakness and is associated with many other health disorders. For athletes in particular it may impair training and performance, prolong recovery and increase risk of injury. We therefore analyzed vitamin D levels in Swiss athletes focusing on prevalence according to age, gender, seasonal variations, indoor or outdoor sports, sunscreen use and vitamin D supplementation. Methods: This study was performed in a convenient sample of 655 Swiss Olympic athletes over one year. Blood samples were obtained and a questionnaire was filled in at Swiss Olympic Medical Centers or Bases during an annual routine exam. Data were then sent to the central laboratory of the Aarau hospital where they were processed and sent to us in an anonymized version. Vitamin D levels were categorized into deficiency (≤ 50 nmol/l), insufficiency (between 50 and 75 nmol/l) and adequate levels (> 75 nmol/l) of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. By means of the questionnaire, we assessed age, gender, type of sport, symptoms possibly related to vitamin D deficiency during the last year, frequency of sunscreen use and vitamin D-containing medications of the athletes. Results: 13.5% of the participants (total number = 651) presented a vitamin D deficiency, 37.8% a vitamin D insufficiency so that more than half of the athletes (51.2%) had inadequate vitamin D levels. Inadequate vitamin D levels were more prevalent in younger athletes, during seasons with lower sun exposure, in indoor sports during the sun deprived seasons, in athletes without vitamines supplementation and in athletes of lower Swiss Olympic classes compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: The results of the study show that the prevalence of inadequate vitamin D levels in Swiss athletes is substantial for younger athletes (< 18 years of age) and for indoor athletes during sun deprived periods of the year. However, a general vitamin supplementation containing vitamin D reduced the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy which is especially relevant during sun deprived seasons.

scholarly journals Vitamin D status and current policies to achieve adequate vitamin D intake in the Nordic countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349481989687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvi T. Itkonen ◽  
Rikke Andersen ◽  
Anne K. Björk ◽  
Åsa Brugård Konde ◽  
Hanna Eneroth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Food Culture ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Vitamin D Intake

Aims: Nordic countries share fairly similar food culture and geographical location as well as common nutrition recommendations. The aim of this paper was to review the latest data on vitamin D status and intake and to describe the national supplementation and food fortification policies to achieve adequate vitamin D intake in the Nordic countries. Methods: The data are based on results derived from a literature search presented in a workshop held in Helsinki in November 2018 and completed by recent studies. Results: Vitamin D policies and the implementation of the recommendations differ among the Nordic countries. Vitamin D fortification policies can be mandatory or voluntary and widespread, moderate or non-existent. Vitamin D supplementation recommendations differ, ranging from all age groups being advised to take supplements to only infants. In the general adult population of the Nordic countries, vitamin D status and intake are better than in the risk groups that are not consuming vitamin D supplements or foods containing vitamin D. Non-Western immigrant populations in all Nordic countries share the problem of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. Conclusions: Despite the common nutrition recommendations, there are differences between the Nordic countries in the implementation of the recommendations and policies to achieve adequate vitamin D intake and status. There is a need for wider Nordic collaboration studies as well as strategies to improve vitamin D status, especially in risk groups.

scholarly journals Extensions of the SEIR model for the analysis of tailored social distancing and tracing approaches to cope with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Grimm ◽  
Friederike Mengel ◽  
Martin Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Health Interventions ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Epidemic Control ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Death Toll ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
High Death

AbstractIn the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide face the challenge of designing tailored measures of epidemic control to provide reliable health protection while allowing societal and economic activity. In this paper, we propose an extension of the epidemiological SEIR model to enable a detailed analysis of commonly discussed tailored measures of epidemic control—among them group-specific protection and the use of tracing apps. We introduce groups into the SEIR model that may differ both in their underlying parameters as well as in their behavioral response to public health interventions. Moreover, we allow for different infectiousness parameters within and across groups, different asymptomatic, hospitalization, and lethality rates, as well as different take-up rates of tracing apps. We then examine predictions from these models for a variety of scenarios. Our results visualize the sharp trade-offs between different goals of epidemic control, namely a low death toll, avoiding overload of the health system, and a short duration of the epidemic. We show that a combination of tailored mechanisms, e.g., the protection of vulnerable groups together with a “trace & isolate” approach, can be effective in preventing a high death toll. Protection of vulnerable groups without further measures requires unrealistically strict isolation. A key insight is that high compliance is critical for the effectiveness of a “trace & isolate” approach. Our model allows to analyze the interplay of group-specific social distancing and tracing also beyond our case study in scenarios with a large number of groups reflecting, e.g., sectoral, regional, or age differentiation and group-specific behavioural responses.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation to Prevent COVID-19 Infections and Deaths—Accumulating Evidence from Epidemiological and Intervention Studies Calls for Immediate Action

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermann Brenner
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Vitamin D Insufficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
World Population ◽  
High Risk Populations

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to human health, health care systems, public life, and economy around the globe. The repertoire of effective therapies for severe courses of the disease has remained limited. A large proportion of the world population suffers from vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, with prevalence being particularly high among the COVID-19 high-risk populations. Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested as a potential option to prevent COVID-19 infections, severe courses, and deaths from the disease, but is not widely practiced. This article provides an up-to-date summary of recent epidemiological and intervention studies on a possible role of vitamin D supplementation for preventing severe COVID-19 cases and deaths. Despite limitations and remaining uncertainties, accumulating evidence strongly supports widespread vitamin D supplementation, in particular of high-risk populations, as well as high-dose supplementation of those infected. Given the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, the benefit–risk ratio of such supplementation calls for immediate action even before results of ongoing large-scale randomized trials become available.

scholarly journals Prevention of falls in old people – a review

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus K. Karlsson ◽  
Caroline Karlsson ◽  
Maria Cöster ◽  
Håkan Magnusson ◽  
Björn E. Rosengen
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Older People ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Training Modalities

SummaryPhysical training, if including specific different training modalities, reduces the fall risk in healthy community-dwelling older people, as does a home hazards modification programme. Vitamin D supplementation in older individuals with low levels of vitamin D, adjustment of psychotropic medication, and structured modification of multi-pharmacy are all drug-focused programmes that reduce the number of falls. Anti-slip shoe devices during icy conditions for older people who walk outdoors and multifaceted podiatry in patients with specific foot disability reduce the fall risk. First eye cataract surgery and pacemakers in patients with cardio-inhibitory carotid sinus hypersensitivity are surgical interventions that reduce the fall risk. Multi-factorial preventive programmes that include training, both individually designed and generally prescribed, also reduce the fall frequency. With this in mind, we ought to initiate fall preventive programmes in older people, especially in high- risk groups, to reduce the number of falls and fallers in society.

P13 An evaluation of vitamin d supplementation to babies on the neonatal unit

2018 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. e2.15-e2
Author(s):  
Razmin Begum ◽  
Jiten Modha ◽  
Sian Gaze
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Neonatal Unit ◽  
Milk Formula ◽  
List Type ◽  
Local Policy ◽  
Obstetric Medicine

AimIn 2014, NICE guidance outlined the recommended amount of vitamin D in newborn infants.1 Such deficiency is associated with rickets, hypocalcaemia and seizures.2The aim of this study was to determine whether babies on the neonatal unit received the recommended daily amount of vitamin D by comparing national guidance against our local neonatal policy. To assess how babies obtained their source of vitamin D on the neonatal unit.MethodLocal policy stipulates for pre-term babies<1.8 kg a daily intake of 800–1000 units is recommended and for term babies (>37 weeks) 400 units is recommend. Pre-term and term babies>1.8 kg a dose of 400 units is recommend.Data collected over a 6 week period (1 week pilot study) included prescribed medication, milk volume, milk type (formula or fortifier) and demographics of the patient population. Inclusion criteria: babies with a postnatal age >2 weeks and enteral feeds >120 ml/kg/day. Exclusion criteria: babies with a postnatal age <2 weeks, on TPN, donor breast milk or on demand breast-feeding.Results30 babies identified of, which 21 were classified as pre term and 9 as term. 100% (9/9) of term babies and (3/3) pre-term babies weighing >1.8 kg received the recommended daily vitamin D intake (either as colecalciferol or abidec). The remaining 18 pre-term babies weighing <1.8 kg; 83% (15/18) received the recommended daily intake (either as colecalciferol, abidec, fortifier or milk formula). Overall, from the 30 babies identified in this study 90% (27/30) received their daily recommended intake of vitamin D.ConclusionThis is the first study conducted, which concluded that 90% of babies received the recommend daily intake of vitamin D as outlined in both national and local guidance. It demonstrated that there needs to be a greater focus on vitamin D supplementation on the unit to ensure that all babies are nutritionally optimised.ReferencesNICE Guidelines [PH56]. Vitamin D: Increasing supplement in at-risk groups November 2014.Parisaei M, GovindA, Clements J, etal. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a North London antenatal population. Obstetric Medicine: The Medicine of Pregnancy 2011;4(3):113–116.

State of The Art on The Main Randomized Clinical Studies, Meta-Analysis, and International Consensus on The Influence of Serum Levels and Supplementation of Vitamin D on Athletes Performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Leandro Reis Woitas ◽  
José Wilson Ribas ◽  
Idiberto José Zotarelli Filho
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
World Population ◽  
Consensus Methods ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Vitamin D Receptors ◽  
The World

Introduction: Vitamin D (VD) deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) <50 nmol/L or 20 ng/mL) is more common than is thought in the majority of the world population. In this context, athletes have the same predisposition to low levels of vitamin D, with the majority of their concentrations below 20 ng/mL in a wide variety of sports, especially in the winter months. RV is also essential in extra-skeletal functions, including skeletal muscle growth, immune and cardiopulmonary functions, and inflammatory modulation, which influence athletic performance. Vitamin D can also interact with extra-skeletal tissues to modulate injury recovery and also influence the risk of infection. Objective: Performed a wide analysis of the world literature to compose the State of the Art on the main effects of vitamin D supplementation on the performance of athletes through randomized clinical studies, meta-analysis, and the latest international conferences and consensus. Methods: The present study followed a broad literature review of randomized clinical studies, meta-analysis, and the latest international consensus. The Cochrane instrument was adopted to assess the quality of the studies. Main findings and conclusion: One of the main aspects that must be taken into account is important evidence that suggests that free (bioavailable) 25(OH)D may be a better marker of vitamin D status. Many researchers do not take into account that athletes may need a greater supply of vitamin D to meet the requirements of muscle metabolism due to the potential routes of vitamin D use. A significant debate seems to be needed to determine and standardize the classification of vitamin D deficiency. There are still information gaps on the correlation between vitamin D supplementation and athletes' exercise performance. However, because vitamin D induces myogenesis and muscle protein synthesis, causing an increase in the percentage of rapidly contracting muscle cells, and because vitamin D receptors (VDR) play a significant role in muscle regeneration after injury, supplementation in athletes is recommended.

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