Newsbites: Vitamin D levels; carbs vs. fats; boosting liver health

Vitamin D Levels Not Associated with COVID-19 Infection

While earlier studies had suggested low blood levels of vitamin D might increase the severity of COVID-19 infection, a recent observational study found that low levels of vitamin D were not associated with getting the virus in the first place.

The study tested over 18,000 individuals ages 37 to 56 for antibodies indicating past infection with COVID-19. They compared these results to vitamin D levels that had been measured before the pandemic. After controlling for other factors, even extremely low vitamin D levels (under 20 nanograms per milliliter) were not associated with the presence of antibodies for the virus.

As we wrote in this section last month, the U.S. Preventive Health Service Task Force has determined raising vitamin D levels through supplementation has not been proven to improve health outcomes, and there is not enough evidence to recommend universal testing for vitamin D blood levels. This study adds to the body of information reviewed by the Task Force, suggesting vitamin D supplementation is not protective against COVID-19 infection, even in individuals who have low blood levels of this vitamin.

Replacing Some Carbs with Healthy Fats Is Good for Blood Cholesterol Levels

A recent analysis added to our understanding of the relationship between type of dietary fat and blood cholesterol levels. Dietary changes that raise blood levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol and lower “bad” (non-HDL) cholesterol can decrease risk for cardiovascular disease. (Non-HDL cholesterol is a combination of LDL and other lipids.) The study, which combined information from eight observational studies conducted in European countries, estimated the result of replacing five percent of calories from carbohydrates with the same number of calories from fats. The analysis found that replacing dietary carbohydrates with mono- or polyunsaturated fats had favorable effects on blood cholesterol concentrations—but replacing carbs with saturated fats did not. Specifically:

✔✔ Replacing carbs with total fat or monounsaturated fatty acids was associated with higher HDL, with no change in non-HDL;

✔✔ Replacing carbs with polyunsaturated fatty acids was associated with lower non- HDL, with no change in HDL; and

✘✘ Replacing carbs with saturated fats was associated with higher non-HDL, with no change in HDL.

While this study does not prove cause and effect, its findings are in line with other research from randomized controlled trials which showed that including more total fat in place of carbs in one’s diet is not bad for cholesterol in-and-of-itself, and choosing unsaturated fats (from foods like plant oils, nuts, and seeds) in place of refined carbohydrates is actually good for heart health.

Exercise is Good for Your Liver

A recent trial found that getting moving can improve liver health in people with obesity, even without weight loss.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver, often in response to diets high in starch and sugar. NAFLD is the most common form of liver disease in the U.S. and may be present in more than 90 percent of individuals with obesity and 75 percent with overweight. According to the National Institutes of Health, people with NAFLD are at high risk of developing liver inflammation that can lead to cirrhosis (advanced scarring) and liver failure.

In this trial, 83 Japanese men with obesity participated for three months in either an aerobic exercise program (fast walking or light jogging for 90 minutes three days a week) or calorie restriction with the help of a registered dietitian. In the activity group, muscle strength increased, markers of general inflammation and oxidative stress decreased, and liver health improved, even without weight loss.

This study adds to a large body of science that physical activity, like a healthy diet, has many benefits beyond weight loss.”

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