Vitamin D.br Business Insider reports that a new study out of Israel suggests that having sufficient levels of vitamin D may significantly reduce the chances of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. .br The study was published in the research journal PLOS One, on February 3. .br According to scientists, about half of people who were vitamin D deficient prior to contracting COVID-19 developed severe illness. .br Comparatively, less than 10 of people with sufficient levels of the vitamin experienced severe symptoms. .br According to the study's authors, this is the first study to look into vitamin D levels in people prior to contracting COVID-19. .br We found it remarkable, and striking, br to see the difference in the chances br of becoming a severe patient br when you are lacking in vitamin D br compared to when you're not, Dr. Amiel Dror, a study author and physician at br the Galilee Medical Center, via 'The Times of Israel'.br According to Dror, sufficient levels of vitamin D helped to boost the immune system's ability to combat viruses that attack the respiratory system. .br Business Insider cautions that the study doesn't prove that vitamin D offers protection from COVID and is not a replacement for vaccination. .br The study's authors caution that vitamin D is "one piece of a complex puzzle.".br "," they said. .br Our study warrants further studies investigating if and when vitamin D supplementation among vitamin D deficient individuals in the community impacts the outcome of an eventual COVID-19 episode, Dr.