The Effect of Active Vitamin D on Coronavirus

Abstract

Coronaviruses, especially Beta coronaviruses (β)is a threat to humans since it spreads easily. Although we are yet to find a cure to COVID-19, there are various approaches to prevent its spread, including UV and heat inactivation. However, recently scholars have identified an increased relationship between vitamin D-deficiency and the severe COVID-19, making it a feasible intervention to treat or prevent COVID-19. We can obtain vitamin D directly through sunlight, diet, or supplementation. Vitamin D, especially vitamin D2 and D3 prevents COVID-19 by enhancing anti-inflammatory and eradicating pro-inflammatory cytokines and acting as an antiviral by augmenting B-defensin and antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin, declining viral replication. People with vitamin D deficiency are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 than normal peopole. Vitamin D is safe and has limited adverse events because although it is a fat-soluble vitamin, humans rarely experience vitamin D overdose, including vitamin D overdoses due to sunlight.