Vitamin D and COVID-19: Narrative Review after 3 Years of Pandemic

Gotelli, Emanuele; Soldano, Stefano; Hysa, Elvis; Paolino, Sabrina; Campitiello, Rosanna; Pizzorni, Carmen; Sulli, Alberto; Smith, Vanessa; Cutolo, Maurizio

doi:10.3390/nu14224907

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 100 publications

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“…After the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the role of vitamin D 3 in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been the object of thousands of studies and reports [ 9 ]. Deficient/insufficient serum 25(OH)D 3 concentrations have been correlated with increased susceptibility to infection and more severe disease courses [ 10 ].…”

Section: Vitamin D 3 and Respiratory Infectious Di...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The link between serum 25(OH)D 3 concentrations and the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been extensively investigated and most studies agree that vitamin D 3 deficiency is related to a poorer prognosis of the disease [ 1 , 9 , 21 ]. Serum 25(OH)D 3 concentrations below 25 nmol/L have been associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and systemic complications [ 22 – 24 ].…”

Section: Vitamin D 3 and Sars-cov-2 Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding the Immune-Endocrine Effects of Vitamin D in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Role in Protecting against Neurodamage

Gotelli,

Soldano,

Hysa

et al. 2023

Neuroimmunomodulation

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Calcitriol and hydroxyderivatives of lumisterol and tachisterol are secosteroid hormones with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have correlated deficient serum concentrations of vitamin D3 (calcifediol) with increased severity of the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among systemic complications, subjective (anosmia, ageusia, depression, dizziness) and objective (ischemic stroke, meningo-encephalitis, myelitis, seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome) neurological symptoms have been reported in up to 80% of severe COVID-19 patients. In this narrative review we will resume the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the mechanisms of acute and chronic neurological damage. SARS-CoV-2 can disrupt the integrity of the endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier to enter the nervous central system. Invasion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and polarization of astrocytes and microglia cells always in a pro-inflammatory sense together with the pro-coagulative phenotype of cerebral endothelial vessels in response to both SARS-CoV-2 and immune cells invasion (immunothrombosis) are the major drivers of neuro-damage. Calcitriol and hydroxyderivatives of lumisterol and tachisterol could play an adjuvant role in neuroprotection, through mitigation of neuroinflammation and protection of endothelial integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Dedicated studies on this topic are currently lacking and are desirable to confirm the link between vitamin D3 and neuroprotection in COVID-19 patients.

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Section: Vitamin D 3 and Respiratory Infectious Di...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Vitamin D 3 and Sars-cov-2 Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Immune-Endocrine Effects of Vitamin D in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Role in Protecting against Neurodamage

Gotelli,

Soldano,

Hysa

et al. 2023

Neuroimmunomodulation

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“…There is inadequate evidence to recommend in favor of or against DSs for the prevention or therapy of COVID-19 [96]. Studies published have yielded conflicting results [97][98][99][100].…”

Section: Covid-19 Pandemic and Ds Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Is Dietary (Food) Supplement Intake Reported in European National Nutrition Surveys?

Papatesta,

Kanellou,

Peppa

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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Dietary (food) supplements (DSs) have seen a sharp increase in use and popularity in recent years. Information on DS consumption is vital for national nutrition monitoring. The objective of this study was to investigate whether DS intake was reported in the National Nutrition Surveys (NNSs) in all European countries. NNSs reporting DS use were retrieved via literature review (i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus), scientific and organizational publications (EFSA), or open-published government and other official reports. Included were the European NNSs referring to adults, published in English, French, or German, post-2000. Out of the 53 European countries, 30 recorded DS intake. Among them, related findings on the percentage of DS intake were published in 21 cases, 5 of them written in the local language. DS use varied by nation, with Finland and Denmark having the greatest (over 50%) and Italy having the lowest percentage (5%). In terms of comprehensive reported data on DS consumption in Europe and the investigation of the contribution of DSs to total nutrient intake, there is a need for improvement. Common DS categories should be defined upon agreement among the involved scientific parties to allow for comparable data and estimations between surveys.

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“…However, this is impractical for many because of the sun’s intensity, less time available for exposure, and insufficient UVB rays reaching the surface in northern latitudes (and in mornings and evenings, even in the summer). Consequently, darker-skinned people likely have a higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis, lower fertility rates, higher rates of infections and complications, a higher prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension and cardiovascular diseases), and a shorter life span, especially during the winter [ 1 , 2 ]. The further north people migrated and lived, the lighter their skin pigment became as a survival mechanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlling Chronic Diseases and Acute Infections with Vitamin D Sufficiency

Wimalawansa

2023

Nutrients

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Apart from developmental disabilities, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases with age especially in those with co-morbidities: vitamin D deficiency plays a major role in it. Whether vitamin D deficiency initiates and/or aggravates chronic diseases or vice versa is unclear. It adversely affects all body systems but can be eliminated using proper doses of vitamin D supplementation and/or safe daily sun exposure. Maintaining the population serum 25(OH)D concentration above 40 ng/mL (i.e., sufficiency) ensures a sound immune system, minimizing symptomatic diseases and reducing infections and the prevalence of chronic diseases. This is the most cost-effective way to keep a population healthy and reduce healthcare costs. Vitamin D facilitates physiological functions, overcoming pathologies such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress and maintaining broader immune functions. These are vital to overcoming chronic diseases and infections. Therefore, in addition to following essential public health and nutritional guidance, maintaining vitamin D sufficiency should be an integral part of better health, preventing acute and chronic diseases and minimize their complications. Those with severe vitamin D deficiency have the highest burdens of co-morbidities and are more vulnerable to developing complications and untimely deaths. Vitamin D adequacy improves innate and adaptive immune systems. It controls excessive inflammation and oxidative stress, generates antimicrobial peptides, and neutralizes antibodies via immune cells. Consequently, vitamin D sufficiency reduces infections and associated complications and deaths. Maintaining vitamin D sufficiency reduces chronic disease burden, illnesses, hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality. Vulnerable communities, such as ethnic minorities living in temperate countries, older people, those with co-morbidities, routine night workers, and institutionalized persons, have the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency—they would significantly benefit from vitamin D and targeted micronutrient supplementation. At least now, health departments, authorities, and health insurance companies should start assessing, prioritizing, and encouraging this economical, non-prescription, safe micronutrient to prevent and treat acute and chronic diseases. This approach will significantly reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs and ensure healthy aging.

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Vitamin D and COVID-19: Narrative Review after 3 Years of Pandemic

Cited by 11 publications

References 100 publications

Understanding the Immune-Endocrine Effects of Vitamin D in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Role in Protecting against Neurodamage

Understanding the Immune-Endocrine Effects of Vitamin D in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Role in Protecting against Neurodamage

Is Dietary (Food) Supplement Intake Reported in European National Nutrition Surveys?

Controlling Chronic Diseases and Acute Infections with Vitamin D Sufficiency

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