Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections and COVID-19

Marni E Shoemaker; Linda M Huynh; Cory M Smith; Vikkie A Mustad; Maria O Duarte; Joel T Cramer

doi:10.1097/TIN.0000000000000284

Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D and Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections and COVID-19

Top Clin Nutr. 2022 Jul-Sep;37(3):203-217. doi: 10.1097/TIN.0000000000000284. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Authors

Marni E Shoemaker¹, Linda M Huynh¹, Cory M Smith¹, Vikkie A Mustad¹, Maria O Duarte¹, Joel T Cramer¹

Affiliation

¹ College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso (Drs Shoemaker and Cramer); University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha (Ms Huynh); Departments of Kinesiology (Dr Smith) and Public Health Sciences (Dr Duarte), The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso; and Nutrition Science Consulting, LLC, Galena, Ohio (Dr Mustad).

Abstract

Little is known about potential protective factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), referred to as COVID-19. Suboptimal vitamin D status is a risk factor for immune dysfunction, respiratory tract infections (RTIs), and viral infections. Supplementation of vitamin D (2000-4000 IU) has decreased incidence and complications from RTIs, respiratory distress syndrome, and pneumonia and may be beneficial in high-risk populations. Given the possible link between low vitamin D status and RTIs, such as COVID-19, this review examined whether vitamin D supplementation can be supported as a nutritional strategy for reducing risk of infection, complications, and mortality from COVID-19 and found that the relationship between vitamin D and RTIs warrants further exploration.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; nutrients; respiratory tract infection; supplementation; vitamin D.

Publication types

Review