Ministry of Health of Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey (according to TBS in) 2019 report, in our country, only 15% of 14.5 years and older men, women,% 7.2 normal vitamin D level (30-79 ng / ml) with.
However, vitamin D deficiency, which is also approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to support the immune system, can increase the severity of COVID-19 disease.
Various non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome are associated with low vitamin D. These diseases, combined with vitamin D deficiency, can increase the number of severe cases of COVID-19 disease.
The relationship between acute respiratory infections caused by viruses and vitamin D is the subject of many scientific studies. There is thought to be a relationship between low vitamin D and respiratory infections. Recent studies also support the relationship between vitamin D and acute respiratory infections. Vitamin D can act on the acquired and innate immune system. In addition, vitamin D can reduce inflammation and increase the effects of immune system cells. Therefore, much more attention needs to be paid to the importance of vitamin D levels for the development and course of the disease. In the case of hospitalization, a quick review of vitamin D levels and treatment if possible is required.
The risk of spending too much time indoors increases
Vitamin D, which can be taken from sunlight and from foods, although in much less amounts, is a very important vitamin for the body in terms of helping calcium absorption, calcium storage in bones, controlling calcium level in the blood and most importantly regulating the balance of calcium-phosphorus. The World Health Organization (WHO) takes care to avoid sunburn in order to ensure adequate vitamin D production; He recommends exposing the face and arms to the sun for a maximum of 30 minutes every day. However, not being able to benefit from the sun during the winter months and spending too much time indoors can pose a risk for vitamin D deficiency. In addition, some studies indicate that active life and physical activity are very important in bringing the vitamin D level to the desired levels.
What in the world and Turkey?
Vitamin D deficiency is common in the winter months in Europe and mainly affects the elderly and immigrants. While only 5% of the population in Scandinavia is affected by low vitamin D levels, it occurs in more than 25% of the population in Germany, France and Italy. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in the elderly. Approximately 90% of the elderly in Austria suffer from vitamin D deficiency. In Turkey, unfortunately, it is much more dense than vitamin D deficiency specified countries. Even worse, not only the elderly, but all layers of the population are severely affected. Insufficient vitamin D has major causes: low UVB exposure (especially due to the winter season in the northern regions), strong pigmentation status, or decreased vitamin synthesis in the skin with aging. In addition, malnutrition, insufficient consumption of fish and foods enriched with vitamin D, old age and poverty are among the reasons. In addition to pregnant women and children under 5 years of age, the main risk groups include the elderly, over the age of 65, individuals with little sun exposure or dark skin. Those who live in nursing homes or spend longer time indoors due to quarantine during the epidemic are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Ministry of Health of Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey (according to TBS in) 2019 report, according to background characteristics in 15 years and older individuals vitamin D levels in the distribution of men and 14.5% of the only examined women while the 7.2% normal vitamin D level (30-79 ng / mL). When their nutritional status is examined, the rate of individuals below the dietary vitamin D (AI) recommendation of EFSA is 95.5%. This case illustrates that vitamin D may be at risk of deficiency of living in Turkey.
Be the first to comment