Blog

By Sarah Hunt, AZFB Communications Intern

Photo: Yenni Vance via Pixabay

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that your body needs. It helps keep your bones strong by absorbing calcium from supplements and food, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, cheese, egg yolks, and beef liver. Recent studies by The University of Chicago have shown that those with a sufficient amount of vitamin D in their systems are less likely to be infected with COVID-19.

“Vitamin D is important to the function of the immune system and vitamin D supplements have previously been shown to lower the risk of viral respiratory tract infections,” said David Meltzer, MD, PhD, Chief of Hospital Medicine at UChicago Medicine and lead author of the study. “Our statistical analysis suggests this may be true for the COVID-19 infection.”

Here is a collection of Fill Your Plate articles with all the facts about it.

Friday Food Fact Audio Clip: Egg Yolks are a Natural Source of Vitamin D

Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D is something that most of us know is obtained from the sun, and it is an important part of our daily makeup and how our bodies function. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and maintains phosphorus levels in the blood. We also need Vitamin D for the intestines to stimulate and absorb calcium. Additional benefits of Vitamin D are that it helps regulate insulin levels, support lung function and promote healthy bones and teeth.

(Continued in article, click the link to read more)

Should you take a Vitamin D Supplement?: According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mineral density. They recommend not smoking, limiting alcohol, regular weight-bearing exercise, and getting the calcium and vitamin D your body needs daily. But, should you be taking a vitamin D supplement?

(Continued in article, click the link to read more)

The Importance of Vitamin D: We all know that vitamins and nutrients are good for us, but do we know why? I personally feel that when I know the exact benefits that a vitamin provides me, the more likely I am to incorporate it into my life. Some vitamins not only have physical benefits but mental as well. One such vitamin is Vitamin D. This crucial nutrient impacts many important bodily functions, but unfortunately, many people are not getting enough of this super vitamin. In fact, about 40% of the U.S. population has a Vitamin D deficiency. Let’s take a look at the role that Vitamin D plays in our bodies and ways we can get more of it.

(Continued in article, click the link to read more)

Vitamin D—The Sunshine Vitamin: Vitamin D has recently become a hot topic in the world of health and wellness. From small health blogs to the New York Times, this vitamin has been featured just about everywhere. With so much information available, it can be overwhelming to sort through the thousands of resources that make claims about Vitamin D. Let’s take away some of that confusion and take a closer look at this miraculous vitamin!

(Continued in article, click the link to read more)

More Studies About Vitamin D and COVID-19:

Low Vitamin D Levels Tied to Higher Odds for Severe COVID

USPSTF Finds Evidence Lacking for Vitamin D Screening