Vitamin D may help keep long COVID at bay

 

• About every six in 100 people who have COVID-19 go on to develop post-COVID-19 condition, dubbed ‘long COVID.’
• There is currently no cure for long COVID and anyone who is infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can develop it.
• Past studies show that certain lifestyle choices, such as following a healthy diet, may help reduce a person’s long COVID risk.
• A new study found that while vitamin D supplements may not reduce the severity of COVID-19, they may help reduce a person’s risk of developing long COVID.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about every six in 100 peopleTrusted Source who have COVID-19 go on to develop post-COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID.

Previous research shows that long COVID symptomsTrusted Source can last from 3 months to as long as a few years. Common symptoms of long COVID include constant fatigue, respiratory problems like a chronic cough or shortness of breath, “brain fog,” sleeping issues, headache, digestive issues like diarrhea and stomach painTrusted Source, joint pain, depression, and anxiety.

There is currently no cure for long COVID. Symptoms are managed through medications and treatments for specific symptoms, such as physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and mental health interventions.

Anyone who is infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can develop long COVID. However, older adults, those with severe COVID-19, and people with underlying health conditions are generally at a higher riskTrusted Source of developing long COVID.

Past studies show that certain lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy body weight, being physically active, prioritizing sleep, and avoiding smoking, may help reduce a person’s long COVID risk.

Now, a new study published in The Journal of Nutrition has found that, while vitamin D supplements may not reduce the severity of a COVID-19 infection, they may help reduce a person’s risk of developing long COVID.

Focusing on COVID-19 and vitamin D3 supplementation

For this study, researchers recruited more than 1,700 adults in the United States and Mongolia who had recently tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 277 members of their household who came in contact with the infected individual.

Participants were randomly selected to receive either a daily vitamin D3 supplement or placebo for 4 weeks. The average time between a participant’s positive COVID-19 test and start of the vitamin D3 supplement or placebo was 3 days.

“Long COVID continues to impact the lives and quality of life of millions of people worldwide,” JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Mass General Brigham, Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School, and senior author of this study, 

Source:Medical News Today.