Does vitamin D supplementation prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in military personnel? Review of the evidence.
BMJ Mil Health
; 167(4): 280-286, 2021 Aug.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1052317
ABSTRACT
For most individuals residing in Northwestern Europe, maintaining replete vitamin D status throughout the year is unlikely without vitamin D supplementation and deficiency remains common. Military studies have investigated the association with vitamin D status, and subsequent supplementation, with the risk of stress fractures particularly during recruit training. The expression of nuclear vitamin D receptors and vitamin D metabolic enzymes in immune cells additionally provides a rationale for the potential role of vitamin D in maintaining immune homeostasis. One particular area of interest has been in the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). The aims of this review were to consider the evidence of vitamin D supplementation in military populations in the prevention of ARTIs, including SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequent COVID-19 illness. The occupational/organisational importance of reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially where infected young adults may be asymptomatic, presymptomatic or paucisymptomatic, is also discussed.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vitamin D
/
Vitamins
/
COVID-19
/
Military Personnel
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Mil Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjmilitary-2020-001686
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS