https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/10/27/Vitamin-deficiencies-linked-to-respiratory-conditions-including-COVID-19/9491603827437/Vitamin deficiencies linked to respiratory conditions, including COVID-19By Brian P. Dunleavy
Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Increasing vitamins A, E and D through diet changes or supplements reduces a person's risk for breathing and respiratory conditions, including flu and COVID-19, a study published Tuesday by the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found.
People who consumed recommended amounts of the three key nutrients were less likely to develop the flu, colds, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, the data showed.
Research has linked vitamin D, in particular, with boosting immune system function, and
being deficient in the nutrient has been found to increase a person's risk for severe COVID-19. Vitamins A, E and D -- as well as vitamin C -- are all considered micronutrients, meaning they are needed in relatively small doses to live.
"Nationally representative data continue to remind us that micronutrient deficiencies are far from a thing of the past, even in higher income nations," Sumantra Ray, executive director of the NNEdPro Global Center for Nutrition and Health in England, where the research was conducted, said in a statement.
"Despite this, micronutrient deficiencies are often overlooked as a key contributor to the burden of malnutrition and poor health, presenting an additional layer of challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Ray, who was not directly involved in the study."
"Despite health agencies and organizations publishing daily intake guidelines for these and other vitamins and nutrients, researchers at Oregon State University estimate that
94% of people older than 4 in the United States have less-than-adequate levels of vitamin D.
Similarly, 89% have below-recommended levels of vitamin E, while 44% have have lower levels of vitamin A than recommended, according to the Oregon State analysis."
"Study participants reprted 33cases of respiratory complaints and not necessarily diagnosed by a healthcare professional, the data showed.
Those reporting respiratory complaints generally were older and less likely to regularly regularly vitamin A, E, C or D supplements, according to the researchers.
None of the adults with respiratory complaints reported taking a vitamin C supplement, which researchers said makes it impossible to determine any associations with respiratory conditions.
But vitamin A and E intake from both diet and supplements was associated with a lower prevalence of respiratory complaints among the study participants, the data showed.
Similarly, vitamin D intake from supplements, but not from diet, was associated with fewer respiratory complaints, the researchers said.
"Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that supplementation is critical to ensuring adequate vitamin D status is maintained and potentially indicate that intake of vitamin D from diet alone cannot help maintain adequate vitamin D status," they wrote."
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https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/10/27/Vitamin-deficiencies-linked-to-respiratory-conditions-including-COVID-19/9491603827437/
