Research suggests that individuals who have suffered from severe coronavirus symptoms are more likely to have a vitamin deficiency, with a vitamin D deficiency thought to be associated with increased body ache and fever symptoms. A deficiency may also be considered to make individuals more susceptible to the virus, it has been found^[1].

Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids are all important nutrients in ensuring immune function within the body. Vitamin C is required for growth and function of the immune cells as well as antibody production. Antibodies are substances that are produced by your body to fight viruses and infections in the blood. Vitamin D is crucial for the activation of the immune system response, as well as offering anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties.

Public Health England (PHE) have suggested that adults who spend the majority of their day indoors should take a 400IU Vitamin D supplement, due to the vitamin mostly being obtained by the body through sunlight rather than food sources. Although there is little found in food, eating a balanced diet containing oily fish, eggs or mushrooms can help in getting enough vitamin D.

With winter coming and nights drawing darker it is likely that your vitamin D levels will drop and as a result researchers have suggested that people should be taking a daily multivitamin, 200 milligrams of Vitamin C and 2000 international units of Vitamin D, rather than the 400IU suggested by PHE^[2].