Vitamin D
Scientists have said taking mega doses of vitamin D cannot protect against coronavirus, according to a report by Metro UK.
Some articles have claimed that it can act as a protective measure – which scientists say is ‘not true’ and prompted an urgent need to inform the public.
However, they have emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy level of vitamin D in the body. Professor Colin Smith, from the University of Brighton, said: ‘There are currently some very misleading articles doing the rounds on social media about mega doses of vitamin D as a Covid-19 protective measure – which are not true – and hence the urgent need to inform the public.’
Prof Smith and colleagues from around the UK have written in the BMJ journal Nutrition, Prevention and Health outlining their views.
Prof Smith, from the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices, added: ‘In lockdown, many of us are not getting enough vitamin D – either from the sun or from the diet – and it is important that we all get enough vitamin D3 via supplements. ‘In addition to maintaining healthy bones and muscles, vitamin D3 is very important for maintaining a healthy immune system. ‘A balanced response by the body to infection by the coronavirus is very important, since an overreaction of the immune system to the virus can be just as dangerous as a weak immune response.’