Vitamin D is known to have an important role in lung function and decreased risk of respiratory tract infections, in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung conditions. The Important Role of Vitamin D in Lung HealthĬhronic vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of formation of lung fibrosis via activation of the RAS system. This is over reaction of the immune system, leads to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and why people have needed additional oxygen, and to be ventilated. This creates a positive cycle and leads to the ‘cytokine storm’ instead of a more controlled immune response. An imbalance in this system is linked with a cytokine storm, where large numbers of white blood cells are activated they produce messengers (cytokines) which coordinate the immune response, which activate more white blood cells. This means that the ACE2 receptor becomes down-regulated, which has the effect of dysregulating an important system in the body called the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Once the virus has entered the host cell, it takes control of it, instructing it to manufacture more virus. This receptor is predominately found on lung and to a lesser extent heart cells, explaining why the virus causes mainly lung and some heart problems. The virus which causes Covid 19 is called SARS-CoV2 or corona virus 19 (a type of corona virus), which enters cells via a special receptor called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Receptor. All You Need to Know About Vitamin D and Covid 19 Now What is evidence behind the headlines, and what does it all mean? Does Vitamin D deficiency matter, and does it impact lung health? Read on to find out all you need to know about Vitamin D and covid 19 (Corona virus). There have been many headlines recently about the importance of vitamin D during the corona virus 19 pandemic.