Covid-19 epidemiology research
Link identified between dietary selenium and outcome of Covid-19 disease
Professor Margaret Rayman (pictured) has led an international team of researchers in identifying a link between the Covid-19 cure rate and selenium status. Selenium is an essential trace mineral known to affect the severity of a number of viral diseases in animals and humans; its intake varies markedly across China. The Covid-19 cure rate in different Chinese cities was found to be significantly associated with selenium status, measured by the amount of selenium in people’s hair in those cities.
Leading academic investigates how important vitamin D is to Covid-19
Professor Susan Lanham-New (pictured) investigates how important vitamin D is to Covid-19. She has led on an international Consensus Paper specifically on Vitamin D and SARS-CoV-2 Virus/COVID-19 Disease, just published in the British Medical Journal. She provides advice on Vitamin D to H.M Government including the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence. Together with Dr Andrea Darling, the Surrey UK Biobank Team is analysing the effects of ethnicity, body composition, smoking and vitamin D on Covid-19 cases and negative controls.