A Narrative Review on the Potential Role of Vitamin D(3) in the Prevention, Protection, and Disease Mitigation of Acute and Long COVID-19

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged global health systems and economies from January 2020. COVID-19 caused by the infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has acute respiratory and cardiometabolic symptoms that can be severe and lethal. Long-term physiological and psychological symptoms, known as long COVID-19, persist affecting multiple organ systems. While vaccinations support the fight against SARS-CoV-2, other effective mechanisms of population protection should exist given the presence of yet unvaccinated and at-risk vulnerable groups, global disease comorbidities, and short-lived vaccine responses. The review proposes vitamin D(3) as a plausible molecule for prevention, protection, and disease mitigation of acute and long COVID-19. RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals who were deficient in vitamin D(3) had worse COVID-19 health outcomes and mortality rates. Higher doses of vitamin D(3) supplementation may improve health and survivorship in individuals of various age groups, comorbidities, and severity of disease symptoms. SUMMARY: Vitamin D(3)’s biological effects can provide protection and repair in multiple organ systems affected by SARS-CoV-2. Vitamin D(3) supplementation can potentially support disease-mitigation in acute and long COVID-19.