Clarity is needed on the use of vitamin D in the fight against coronavirus

Studies show vitamin D could reduce the risks of the virus, but the government’s messaging is confusing and contradictory – we must employ all the tools in our arsenal, writes Ian Hamilton

Vitamin D comes from natural sunlight, plus foods like fish, red meat and eggs (Getty/iStock)

Known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is important in keeping our bones and muscles healthy. Most of us are able to get sufficient vitamin D from natural sunlight, even in winter, but clearly this has proved to be challenging due to the restrictions applied in attempts to reduce the spread of the virus. 

Vitamin D matters as research shows that up to 80 per cent of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 are deficient in this vitamin, which compares to a rate of 25 per cent in the population as a whole. A new study suggests that migration over the past 500 years has contributed to population-level deficiency at this scale.

There is increasing concern this isn’t been treated seriously or given the priority it should by governments. A recent open letter signed by medics and researchers urged government ministers to increase vitamin D levels in those with deficiencies in the wider population, estimated to be as high as one in four people.