The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has informed the public that boosting their Vitamin D levels will help fight the COVID-19 infection and will provide additional immunity.
A study conducted by Dr Habiba Al Safar, Associate Professor at the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of the Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology, and Dr Fatme Al Anouti, Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Public Health and Nutrition at Zayed University, found that the Vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients were low for individuals in the UAE.
The study has been approved by Abu Dhabi Health Research Ethics Committee in Abu Dhabi.
Studies have shown that individuals with low Vitamin D levels have lead to mortality and hospitalisation among patients.
The study examined 522 UAE residents, aged 18 years and older, that tested positive for the virus. 59% of patients with Vitamin D deficiency and severe Vitamin D deficiency, suffered from severe symptoms of the virus. The patients were also older and more obese than others in the study.
Age, obesity and Vitamin D deficiency have been well-established factors for the virus and prove that Vitamin D can help fight against the virus.
Fnd out more about the importance of Vitamin D to our health from one of Dubai's specialists here.
PS - Do you want to win a set of 8 children's books worth over Dhs 250? Enter our competition here to be in with a chance. Good luck!