“New study reveals lower vitamin D levels in post-Covid patients, potentially beneficial for treatment of post-Covid syndrome – Medical Clinic Emden findings presented at annual German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine congress”

2023-04-26 17:53:58

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Created: 4/26/2023 5:53 p.m

Von: Pamela Dörhöfer

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Shortness of breath, muscle pain, coughing – post-Covid isn’t just noticeable in sports. (Iconic image) © Antonio Guillem/Imago

Sick people have lower levels, pulmonologists have found out. Now it’s about the benefits that this knowledge has for the sick.

The role of vitamin D in the immune system, especially with regard to the prevention and alleviation of respiratory infections, has been a major topic for years, and not only in the medical profession. It was also used with force during the corona pandemic – and, like so many things at this time, was discussed controversially. Vitamin D was at the top of the list as a means of strengthening the immune system against the coronavirus, especially among those who doubted the benefits and tolerability of the vaccinations. On the other hand, a study published by MedUni Graz in November 2022 showed that instead of vitamin D, vitamin K2 could have a beneficial effect on the course of a Covid disease.

Now there is something new about vitamin D in connection with Corona: According to a study by pulmonologists from the Medical Clinic Emden, patients with post-Covid should have lower vitamin D levels than people who do not suffer from Covid-19 were, as the “Ärzteblatt” reports. The results of the study were presented at the annual congress of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine. In the meantime, there is “increasing evidence that supplementation with vitamin D could also be beneficial for Covid 19 patients – especially with regard to the development of post-Covid syndrome,” study author Jens Bräunlich is quoted as saying in the “Ärzteblatt”.

Cause is not entirely clear

Post-Covid syndrome is when someone is still suffering from symptoms more than twelve weeks after an acute infection with the coronavirus. The most common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle pain, shortness of breath and a persistent cough.

The Emden research team considers several causes for the observed significantly lower vitamin D levels. According to this, they could be a consequence of the infection with the corona virus, but also of a longer illness and the associated low exposure to sunlight and poor nutrition. According to the authors of the study, it would also be possible that the decrease in outdoor sports activities during the pandemic had a negative impact. Next, according to the researchers, the effects of vitamin D supplementation on patients with post-Covid syndrome should be clarified in a study.