COVID-19 has become the talk of the world not with the overwhelming number of deaths, positive cases, economic strain and a pause on social life.

As people try to navigate life in the face of the pandemic, scientists are suggesting more and more ways to avoid the illness, or, boost immunity to be in better position to fight it.

Dieudonne Bukaba, a nutritionist at Avega Clinic Remera, says vitamin D may just be a solution. It plays a number of roles in the body, for example, vitamin D is critical for immune function. A deficiency in this nutrient may compromise immune response and increase your risk to infection and diseases.

He says that vitamin D is particularly imperative for immune system health, although he emphasises that there is currently no cure for COVID-19, and no preventive measures other than social distancing and proper hygiene practices.

Some research shows that having healthy levels of vitamin D, or taking vitamin D supplement, can help keep your immune system healthy and may protect you against respiratory illnesses in general. Vitamin D affects immune health and supplementing with this nutrient may help protect against respiratory conditions.

Emmy Ntamanga, a Kigali-based nutrition consultant, notes that vitamin D can reduce the risk of COVID-19 because vitamin D helps in immune function, due to anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory properties which are crucial for the activation of immune system defences.

Bukaba explains that vitamin D is known to improve the function of immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages that protect the body against pathogens.

He adds that vitamin D is important for immune function; low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased susceptibility to infection, disease, and immune-related disorders.

For example, low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as viral and bacterial respiratory infections.

Ntamanga adds that food sources of vitamin D are, fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon, fortified food with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals.

COVID-19 so far doesn’t have a cure or vaccine but some studies show when your immune system functions well, your body can fight the coronavirus. But weak immune systems are easily attacked by infections and diseases, he adds.

Evidence that vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 is lacking, but having healthy vitamin D levels can enhance immune health.

Improving the immune system to curb COVID-19

Bukaba says that nutrition experts recommend taking serious basic steps to protect and improve health and possibly, immune system. These include, proper hand-washing since the coronavirus is killed by proper hand-washing for 20 seconds with soap, or using hand sanitiser that contains over 60 per cent alcohol.

Health experts say that smoking isn’t healthy as smokers have an increased risk of catching infections and suffering severe complications from those infections.

"Get adequate sleep. Sleep is important for health in general, and as a bonus, it may also benefit our immune function. The right amount of exercise can also do wonders. Studies show that those who exercise tend to suffer fewer infections than those who do not,” Ntamanga says.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), eating a healthy and nutritious diet helps your immune system to function properly.

WHO recommends 30 minutes of physical activity a day for adults, and one hour a day for children. If you are working at home, make sure you do not sit in the same position for long periods. Get up and take a three-minute break every 30 minutes.

It is normal to feel stressed, confused and scared during this pandemic, so talk to people you know and trust can help. Supporting other people in your community can help you as much as it does them. Check in on neighbours, family and friends. Compassion is a medicine,” states WHO.