Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2 infection—evolution of evidence supporting clinical practice and policy development
D. McCartney, Paula O’Shea, John L. Faul, Martin Healy, Greg Byrne, Tomás P. Griffin, James Bernard Walsh, Declan Byrne, Rose Anne Kenny
Abstract
Abstract\nObservational ecological and epidemiological studies have suggested increased risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity in groups with high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (older adults, and those with obesity, pre-existing medical conditions or darker skin). Emerging observational clinical studies have confirmed these associations, reporting higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe Covid-19 disease and mortality in those who are vitamin D deplete. Further experimental studies have described the immunological and metabolomic mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency increases these risks, while recent prospective RCT data have shown reduced Covid-19 disease severity and mortality with vitamin D supplementation, further supporting a causal association.\nDietary vitamin D intakes are low (~3-6μg/d (120-240 IU/d)) and sunshine exposure inadequate to achieve optimal vitamin D status in Ireland. Consequently, vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D<50nmol/l) is common, with roughly half of the adult population, and an even greater proportion of older adults, affected. In Ireland, oral vitamin D intakes of 25-30μg/d (1000-1200 IU/d) are required to maintain serum 25(OH)D levels >50nmol/l on a year round basis. Supplementation with 20-25μg/d (800-1000 IU/d) is therefore required to avoid deficiency and meet the minimum 25(OH)D threshold of 50nmol/l for enhanced immunity to viral respiratory infection. For older adults, and those with obesity, underlying conditions or darker skin, supplementation at higher doses under medical supervision is indicated.\nPractice and policy development are now required to ensure that Irish adults are supplemented with vitamin D3 at these safe and effective doses to reduce their risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease.